Division   BXHSfe^ 
Section    '  ^    ^^  / 


NINTH     ANNUAL     SESSIONS. 


ACTS  AND  PROCEEDINGS 


OF  THE 


^yipd  of  tl\e  rotoii\cic 


> 


OF  THE 


REFORMED    CHURCH 

IN   THE 

UNITED   STATES, 

*Sy  v-vo  <:^S  .       "VcA  c  -  ■ 

In  General  Convention, 

AT 

WAYNESBORO.  PA.,  OCTOBER,  1881. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

REFORMED  CHURCH  PUBLICATION  BOARD,  907  ARCH  STREET. 

1881. 


lei:m:]vca.t^. 


ART.  I.  Opening  of  Synod. 

ART.  II.  Members  Present. 

ART.  III.  Election  of  Officers. 

ART.  IV.  Rules  of  Order. 

ART.  V.  Appointment  of  Standing  Committees. 

1.  On  Religious  Services. 

2.  On  Minutes  of  Synod. 

3.  On  Overtures. 

4.  Oil  Minutes  of  Classes. 

5.  On  Examination,  Licensure,  and  Ordination. 

6.  On  the  State  of  Religion  and  Statistical  Reports. 

7.  On  Education. 

8.  On  Missions. 

9.  On  Publication. 

10.  On  Finance. 

11.  On  Nominations. 

12.  On  Ministerial  Necrology. 

ART.  VI.  Communications. 

ART.  VII.  Religious  Services. 

ART.  VIII.  MtNUTES  of  Synod. 

ART..  IX.  Overtures. 

ART.  X.  Minutes  of  Classes. 

ART.  XL  Examination,  Licensure,  and  Ordination. 

ART.  XII.  State  of  Religion  and  Statistical  reports. 

ART.  XIII.  Education. 

ART.  XIV.  Missions. 

ART.  XV.  Finance. 

ART.  XVI.  Appeals  and  References. 

ART.  XVII.  Complaints. 

ART.  XVIII.  Sunday-schools. 

ART.  XIX.  Church  Government. 

ART.  XX.  Publication. 

ART.  XXI.  Miscellaneous. 

ART.  XXII.  Ministerial  Necrology. 

ART.  XXIII.  Resumption  and  Close. 

ART.  XXIV.  Adjournment. 


Ninth  Annual  Meeting. 


ACTS  AND  PROCEEDINGS 

Of  the  Synod  of  the  Potomac  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States 
at  its  Annual  Sessions,  convened  in  General  Convention,  in  Waynesboro, 
Pa.,  in  the  month  of  October,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  One  Thousand 
Eight  Hundred  and  Eighty-One.  The  Sessions  commenced  on  the  even- 
ing of  the  nineteenth  and  coniinued  until  the  twentyfxfth  day  of  the  month} 
inclusive,  at  noon. 


ARTICLE  I. 


OPENING    OF    SYNOD. 

The  Synod  convened  in  General  Convention,  on  Wednesday  eve- 
ning, October  19th,  A.  D.  1881,  at  7  o'clock,  in  Trinity  Reformed 
Church  of  Waynesboro,  Franklin  county,  Pa ,  pursuant  to  ap- 
pointment of  last  annual  meeting,  and  was  opened  with  appropriate 
religious  services.  The  President  of  the  pi-evious  year,  G.  W. 
Martin,  D,  D.,  preached  the  opening  sermon  from  Matt.  16  :  18 — - 
•'And  I  say  also  unto  thee.  That  thou  art  Peter,  and  upon  this 
rock  I  will  build  my  Church :  and  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  pre- 
vail against  it." 

ARTICLE  II. 


MEMBERS    PRESENT.* 

I.    FROM    THE    CLASSIS   OF    ZION. 

Ministers: — Jacob  O.  Miller,  D. D.,  Reinhart  R.  Smith,  Aaron 
Spangler,  Francis  S.  Lindaman,  Israel  S.  Weisz,  D.  D.,  ^Nloses 
Kieffer,  D.  D.,  Andrew  J.  Heller,  George  W.  Glessner,  D.  D.,  John 
Kretzing,  J.  Marion  Mickley,  Amos  H.  Kremer,  D.  D.,  Frederick 
J.  Sauerber,  Silas  F.  Laury,  Henry  T.  Spangler,  David  N.  Ditt- 
niar,  George  E.  Addams,  Henry  Ililbish,  David  U.  Wolff,  Aaron 
Wanner,  D.  D.,  and  Walter  E.  Krebs 

Elders : — Samuel  Crist,  Henry  Winebrenner,  Aaron  Raab,  C, 
Augustus  Woltman,  John  Bixler,  George  Hollinger,  Samuel  Wolf, 
Samuel  R.  Weaver,  George  S.  Brodbeck,  John  Hager,  Peter  Hoover, 
David  Kump,  Charles  A.  Shultz,  Martin  Thomas,  Solomon  Snyder, 
William  Wagner,  Daniel  Stambaugh,  and  Louis  H.  Koch. 


*  A  considerable  number  of  the  members  appeared  upon  the  floor  of  Synod 
after  the  first  session.  Hence  tlieir  names  do  not  occur  in  tlie  order  in  wliicli 
they  would  appear,  had  they  been  present  at  the  first  roll-call. 

3 


II.    FROM   THE   CLASSIS   OF   MARYLAND, 

Ministers : — George  L.  Staley,  D.  D.,  Edmund  R.  Eschbach,  D.  D.. 
William  Goodrich,  Simon  S.  Miller,  Nehemiah  H.  Skyles,  Henry 
Wissler,  T.  Franklin  Hoffmeier,  Ambrose  C.  Geary,  John  G.  Noss, 
William  Rupp,  Leighton  G.  Kremer,  Marion  L.  Firor,  Conrad 
Clever,  Charles  F.  Sontag,  William  A.  Gring,  the  licentiate  George 
M.  Zacharias,  Joel  T.  Rossiter,  J.  Spaugler  Kieffer,  Joseph  W. 
Santee,  D.  D.,  Silas  M.  Hench,  and  P.  Allison  Long. 

Elders: — Joseph  Seibert,  Ezra  Williard,  Edward  D  Zimmer- 
man, George  M.  Harbaugh,  Alexander  Weaver,  William  A.  Ha- 
gerraan,  Frederick  Yost,  John  M.  Hoffman,  Jacob  H.  Hinea, 
William  W.  Lesh,  J.  Taylor  Motter,  Goldsboro  S.  Griffith,  Peter 
Middlekauff,  Jacob  Sellers,  Henry  S.  Zeller,  Mellville  E.  Doll,  and 
George  Harbaugh. 

Ill,    FROM    THE    CLASSIS   OF   MERCERSBURG. 

Ministers: — William  M.  Deatrick,  Isaac  G.  Brown,  Henry  Mil- 
ler, Jacob  Hassler,  David  M  Whitmore,  William  I.  Stewart,  Isaac 
M.  Motter,  William  C.  Cremer,  Franklin  F.  Bahner,  Henry  F. 
Long,  Henry  S,  Garner,  J.  Alvin  Reber,  John  M.  Titzel,  William 
H.  Herbert,  Cyrus  J.  Musser,  Cyrus  Cort,  Calvin  S.  Slagle,  George 
B.  Russell,  D.'D.,  Albert  G.  Dole,  Milton  IL  Sangree,  Daniel  H. 
Leader,  the  licentiate  Albert  A.  Black,  and  J.  David  Miller. 

Elders: — John  P.  Reed,  E-q,  James  Rawlings,  Abraham  Kieffer, 
David  B.  Russell,  Conrad  Glazer,  George  L.  Freet,  Henry  Stiue, 
Daniel  S.  Barnhart,  Adam  Shellhase,  Isaac  H.  Keefer,  Benjamin 
Neff,  Henry  O.  Neal,  J.  Raum  Pague,  Samuel  Omwake,  Henry 
Mickly,  Henry  Omwake,  and  William  Dice. 

IV.    FROM   THE   CLASSIS   OF   VIRGINIA. 

Ministers  : — George  H.  Martin,  D.  D. ,  Henry  St.  J.  Rinker,  John 
A.  Hoffheins,  vVnderson  J.  Whitmore,  Samuel  L.  Whitmore,  Abner 
R.  Kremer,  Barton  R.  Carnahan,  and  John  C.  Bowman. 

Elders: — George  P.  Souder,  John  R.  Lautz,  John  Fitz,  George 
Rosen,  Richard  W.  Kearns,  Levi  Rinker,  Emanuel  Staley,  Philip 
P.  Hamman,  and  Henry  J.  Seibert. 

V.    FROM    THE    CLASSIS   OF    NORTH   CAROLINA, 

None  present. 

VI.    FROM    THE   CLASSIS   OF   SAN    FRANCISCO. 

None  present. 

VII.    FROM   THE   CLASSIS   OF    PORTLAND-OREGON. 

None  present. 

ADVISORY   MEMBERS. 

Theodore  Appel,  D.  D,,  George  W.  Aughinbaugh,  D.  D.,  and 
Rev.  Charles  G.  Fisher  of  the  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 


the  United  States,  Rev.  John  W.  Rauch  of  the  Ohio  Synod,  Elder 
David  Schriver  of  Zion's  Classis,  and  Elders  Andrew  R.  Sehnebly, 
Jacob  Heyser,  John  Bowman,  and  Samuel  B.  Snively  of  Mercers- 
burg  Classis. 

MINISTERS   OF   OTHER    CHURCHES. 

The  presence  of  Rev.  Dr.  Bergstresser,  of  the  Lutheran  Church, 
and  Revs.  Messrs.  Dunkerle  and  Wilcux,  of  the  Methodist  Church, 
was  announced. 


ARTICLE  III. 
ELECTION    OF   OFFICERS. 
Rev.  I.  G.  Brown,  President,  Mercersburg,  Pa. 
Rev.  A.  H.  Kremer,  Vice-President,  Carlisle,  Pa. 
Rev.  W.  M.  Deatrick  is  Stated  Clerk,  Mercersbftrg,  Pa. 
Rev.  T.  F.  HofFmeier,  Corresponding  Secretary,  Middletown,  Md. 
Elder  Louis  Markell,  Treasurer,  Frederick,  Md. 


ARTICLE  IV. 
RULES  OF  ORDER. 

In  view  of  the  appointment  by  the  late  General  Synod  of  a  com- 
mittee to  prepare  Rules  of  Order  for  the  government  of  the  several 
judicatories  of  the  Reformed  Church,  in  their  meetings,  it  was 
deemed  unnecessary  to  take  action  on  the  Report  of  the  Committee 
on  Rules  of  Order,  which  was  received  at  the  last  meeting  of  Synod, 
except  in  so  far  as  to  refer  said  report  to  the  General  Synod's  Com- 
mittee on  Rules  of  Order.  The  reading  of  the  Rules  of  Order  was 
dispensed  with,  and  the  limits  constituting  the  Bar  of  the  House 
were  defined  to  consist  of  the  first  six  pews  from  the  chancel 
railing. 


The  following  hours  were  fixed  for  the  opening  and  closing  of  the 
current  sessions  of  the  Synod,  to  wit : 

The  forenoon  session  to  open  at  9  and  close  at  HI  o'clock;  the 
afternoon  session  to  begin  at  2  and  end  at  42  o'clock.  An  evening 
session  was  held  on  Monday  evening,  beginning  at  7  o'clock. 


ARTICLE  V. 

STANDING    COMMITTEES. 

The  President  appointed  the  following  Standing  Committees,  to 
wit : 

Religious  Services:  Revs.  F.  F.  Bahner,  I.  M-  Hotter,  PI.  Miller,  N.  H. 
Skyles,  and  Elders  D.  B.  Russell,  H-  Sliue,  and  E.  D.  Zimmerman. 

Minuten  of  Synod:  Revs.  \V.  M.  l)eatrick,  A.  Spangler,  A.  C.  Geary,  M.  L. 
Firor,  and  Elders  C.  A.  WoUman,  J.  Rawlinga,  and  G.  M.  Ilarbaugh. 


Minutes  of  Oeneral  Synod :  Eevs-  S.  S.  Miller,  F.  S.  Lindaman,  C.  Cort,  H, 
T.  Spangler,  and  Elders  S.  R.  Weaver,  W.  A.  Hagerman,  and  J.  Bixler. 

Overtures:  Revs.  J.  Hassler,  R.  R.  Smith,  F.  J  Sauerber,  L.  G.  Kremer, 
and  Elders  G.  L.  Freet,  A.  Weaver,  and  A.  Raab. 

Minutes  of  dairies  :  Revs.  H.  St.  J.  Rinker,  J.  Kretzing,  J.  G.  Noss,  J.  A. 
Reber,  and  Elders  S.  Wolf,  W.  W.  J.esh,  and  C.  Glazer. 

Examination,  Licensure  and  Ordination :  Revs.  Drs.  Gles.sner,  Kiefrer,  Kre- 
mer, Staley,  and  Elders  A.  KiefFer,  G.  P.  Soiider,  and  E.  Williard. 

State  of  Religion  and  Statistical  Reports :  Revs.  Dr.  Martin,  Dr.  Weisz,  J. 
M.  Mickley,  D.  M.  Whitmore,  and  Elders  S.  Crist,  J.  Seibert,  and  P.  Hoover. 

Education:  Revs.  W.  A.  Gring,  Dr.  Miller,  W.  C.  Cremer,  C.  F.  Sontag, 
and  Elders  J.  Hager,  J.  R.  Lantz,  and  F.  Yost. 

Missions:  Revs.  J.  M.  Titzel,  Dr.  Eschbacli,  C.  Cort,  H.  S.  Garner,  and 
Elders  J.  P.  Reed,  J.  H.  Hinea,  and  D.  S.  Barnhart. 

Publication :  Revs.  W.  Rupp,  W.  Goodrich,  Dr.  Eschbach,  S.  F.  Laury,  and 
Elders  J.  M.  Hoffman,  G.  HoUinger,  and  G.  Rosen. 

Finance:  Revs.  A.  J.  Heller,  J.  A.  HofFheins,  S.  L.  Whitmore,  W.  H. 
Herbert,  and  Elder*-C.  A.  Shiiltz,  J.  T.  Motter,  and  A.  Shellhase. 

Nominations  :  Revs.  T.  F.  Hoffmeier,  D.  N.  Dittmar,  C.  Clever,  A.  J.  Whit- 
more, and  Elders  J.  Fritz,  G.  S.  Brodbeck,  and  H.  Winebrenner. 

Ministerial  Necrology :  Revs.  H.  Wissler,  A.  R.  Ki-emer,  W.  I.  Stewart,  H. 
F.  Long,  and  Elders  I.  H.  Keefer,  D.  B.  Russell,  and  S.  Crist. 


ARTICLE  VI. 

COMMUNICATIONS. 

1.  The  Minutes  of  the  Classes  of  Zion,  Maryland,  Mercersburg, 
Virginia,  North  Carolina,  San  Francisco,  and  Portland-Oregon, 
were  received,  and  referred  to  the  Standing  Committee  on  Minutes 
of  Classes,  except  the  Reports  on  the  State  of  Religion  and  the  Sta- 
tistical Tables,  which  were  referred  to  the  Standing  Committee  on 
those  subjects 

2.  The  Annual  Report  of  the  Treasurer  of  Synod  was  presented 
and  read,  and  then  referred  to  the  Standing  Committee  on  Finance, 
for  the  purpose  of  being  audited. 

3.  The  Annual  Report  of  the  Board  of  Education  was  laid  be- 
fore the  Synod  and  read,  and  was  then  referred  to  the  Standing 
Committee  on  Education  for  consideration. 

4.  The  Annual  Reports  of  the  Board  of  Visitors  and  Board  of 
Trustees  of  the  Theological  Seminary  were  received  and  read,  and 
then  referred  to  the  same  committee,  for  the  same  purpose. 

5.  The  Annual  Reports  of  the  Board  of  Missions,  of  the  Super- 
intendent of  Missions,  and  of  the  Treasurer  of  the  Tri-Synodic 
Board  of  Missions,  were  received  and  severally  read,  and  then 
referred  to  the  Standing  Committee  on  Missions  for  consideration. 

6.  The  Annual  Report  of  the  Board  of  Regents  of  Mercersburg 
College  was  received,  read  and  acted  on  by  the  Synod  without 
reference. 

7.  The  Annual  Report  of  the  Reformed  Church  Publication 
Board  was  laid  before  the  Synod  and  read,  and  then  referred  to  the 
Standing  Committee  on  Publication  for  consideration. 


8.  The  Annual  Report  of  the  Sunday-school  Board  was  pre- 
sented to  Synod,  read  and  disposed  of  without  reference. 

9.  Ten  other  communications  were  received  and  referred  to  the 
Standing  Committee  on  Overtures. 


ARTICLE  VII. 

RELIGIOUS    SERVICES. 

The  Synod,  during  its  present  sessions,  observed  the  following 
religious  services,  to  wit  : 

1.  The  sessions  of  each  day  were  opened  and  closed  with  appro- 
priate religious  services. 

2.  The  Standing  Committee  on  Religious  Services  reported, 
which  was  received  and  adopted,  as  follows  : 

Your  Committee  on  Religious  Services  Avould  respectfully  report 
as  follows  : 

TRINITY   REFORMED   CHURCH. 

Saturday  Afternoon- — Preparatory  Services :  Sermon  by  Eev.  T.  F.  Hoff- 
meier,  assisted  by  Eevs.  W.  C.  Cremer  and  S.  S.  Miller.  Liturgical  service 
by  Kev.  L.  G.  Kremer. 

Saticrday  Evening. — Sermon  by  Rev.  H.  Hilbish,  assisted  by  Eevs.  J.  M. 
Mickly  and  N.  H.  Skyles. 

Sunday  Moi^ning. — Synodical  Communion  :  Sermon  by  Eev.  Dr.  Weisz, 
assisted  by  Revs.  A.  G.  Dole  and  A.  Spangler.  Liturgical  services  by  the 
President  and  Stated  Clerk  of  Synod. 

Sunday  Afternoon. — Sunday-School  Services ;  addresses  by  Eevs-  Dr.  Kre- 
mer, G.  E.  Add  am  s  and  F.  J.  Sauerber. 

Sunday  Evening. —  Sermon  by  Rev.  C  Clever,  assisted  by  Revs.  S.  M.  Hench 
and  D.  U.  Wolff! 

ST.  pal'l's  reformed  church. 

Saturday  Afternoon. — Preparatory  Services :  Sermon  by  Rev.  J.  M.  Titzel. 
Liturgical  services  by  Revs.  D.  N.  Dittmar  and  J.  C.  Bowman. 

Saturday  Evening. — Sermon  by  Rev.  J.  A.  Hoffheins.  Liturgical  services 
by  Revs.  C.  F.  Sontag  and  B.  R.  Carnahan. 

Sunday  Morning. — Communion  services:  Sermon  by  Rev.  Dr.  Eschbach. 
Liturgical  services  by  Revs.  J.  T.  Eossiter  and  A.  J.  Pleller. 

Smiday  Afternoon. — Simday-school  services;  addresses  by  Eevs.  J.  Hassler, 
N.  H.  Skyles  and  W.  Goodrich. 

Sunday  Evening. — Sermon  by  Eev.  F.  J.  Sauerber.  Liturgical  services  by 
Eevs.  M.  L.  Firor  and  W.  A.  Gring. 

OTHER  churches. 

Lutheran  Church. — Sunday  Morning,  Eev.  J.  M.  Titzel ;  Sunday  Evening, 
Eev.  W.  Goodrich. 

Presbyterian  Church. — Sunday  Morning,  Eev.  H.  T.  Spangler ;  Sunday  Eve- 
ning, Eev.  Dr.  Kiefier. 

Methodist  Church. — Sunday  Morning,  Eev.  Dr.  Staley ;  Sunday  Evening, 
Eev.  J.  D.  Miller. 

Respectfully  submitted. 

F.  F.  Bahner,  Chairman. 


ARTICLE  VIII. 

MINUTES    OF    SYNOD. 

The  reading  of  the  Minutes  of  the  last  Annual  Meeting  publicly 
before  the  Synod  was  dispensed  with,  and  the  printed  "Acts  and 
Proceedings"  of  the  last  Annual  Sessions  of  the  Synod  were 
referred  to  the  Standing  Committee  on  Minutes  of  Synod,  to  report 
the  items  of  unfinished  business  that  properly  claimed  the  atten- 
tion of  this  meeting  of  the  Synod.  During  the  session  of  Friday 
morning,  this  Committee  submitted  the  following  report,  which  was 
received,  considered  item  by  item,  adopted  as  a  whole,  and  is  as 
follows,  to  wit : 

I.    REPORT   OF   COMMITTEE   ON   MINUTES   OF   SYNOD. 

To  the  Revertnd  Synod  of  the  Potomac : 

Your  Comraittee,  to  whom  were  referred  the  Printed  Minutes  of  tlie  Synod 
of  last  year,  after  a  careful  perusal  of  them,  beg  leave  to  report  the  following 
items  of  unfinishtd  business,  as,  in  their  judgment,  requiring  the  considera- 
tion of  the  present  sessions  of  the  Synod,  namely: 

Item  1,  page  6.  After  receiving  the  Report  of  the  Special  Comraittee  on 
the  Revision  of  our  Rules  of  Order,  and  ordering  the  Report  to  be  incorpo- 
rated in  the  Minutes,  further  action  thereon  was  postponed  until  the  present 
annual  meeting  of  the  Synod. 

Item  2,  page  12.  A  Standing  Committee  on  Ministerial  Necrology  was 
appointed,  whose  duty  it  will  be  to  report  at  this  meeting  of  the  Synod;  of 
which  Committee  Rev.  I.  S.  VVeisz  is  Chairman. 

Item  3,  page  31.  The  Stated  Clerk  was  instructed  to  communicate  to  Zion's 
Classis  certain  action,  having  reference  to  Beneficiary  Education,  and  request- 
ing earnestly  said  Classis  to  co-operate  with  the  Board  of  Education,  and  to 
carry  on  its  beneficiary  operations,  through  said  Board,  in  compliance  with 
the  Constitution  of  our  Church. 

Item  4,  pagre  36.  Certain  action  of  the  last  Synod,  in  reference  to  Mercers- 
burg  College,  in  the  form  of  a  preamble  and  resolutions. 

Item  5,  page  36.  It  will  be  necessary  for  the  Synod  to  fill  by  election  the 
vacancies  that  will  take  place,  at  the  close  of  the  present  sessions  of  the  Synod, 
in  the  Board  of  Education,  by  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  service  of  Revs. 
1.  G.  Brown,  W.  C.  Cremer,  and  S.  N.  Callender. 

Item  6,  page  37.  It  will  be  the  duty  of  the  Synod  to  fill  by  election  the 
vacancies  about  to  occur  in  the  Board  of  Regents  of  Mercersburg  College,  of 
the  following  members,  whose  term  of  oflBce  expires  during  the  present  month, 
viz. :  Revs.  J.  S.  Kiefi'er,  D.  M.  Whitmore,  and  William  M.  Deatrick ;  and 
also  of  Dr.  M.  A.  Berry,  who  resigned  during  the  year. 

Item  7,  page  52.  The  Synod  apportioned  $3875  among  the  several  Classes 
constituting  the  Synod  for  Home  Missions. 

Item  8,  page  52.  The  several  Classes  and  pastoral  charges  were  urged  to 
take  immediate  steps  to  raise  and  pay  the  several  amounts  apportioned  to  them 
for  the  Washington  Mission  Chapel  by  the  Synod  of  Hagerstown,  in  1878. 

Item  9,  page  53.  The  Classes  were  reijuested  to  give  special  attention  to  the 
claims  of  Missions;  to  urge  the  importance  of  Systematic  Benevolence,  the 
further  introduction  of  Missionary  Societies  in  Congregations  and  Sunday- 
schools,  etc. 

Item  10,  page  54.  It  becomes  necessary  to  elect  two  members  of  the  Synodic 
Board  of  Missions,  in  order  to  fill  the  vacancies  in  said  Board,  already  exist- 
ing, caused  by  the  expiration  of  tlie  term  of  service  of  Elder  G.  S.  Griffith  and 
Rev.  A.  H.  Kremer,  which  occurred  on  the  1st  instant. 


Item  11,  page  56.  The  Synod  made  certain  specific  assessments  upon  the 
several  Classes  for  Contingent  Purposes. 

Item  12,  pcKje  hi.  It  will  be  necessary  to  elect  a  member  of  Synod's  Board 
of  Trustees,  to  fill  the  place  of  Dr.  L.  H.  Steiner,  wiiose  term  of  service  will 
expire  January  1st,  A.  i).  1882,  according  to  the  Charter. 

Jlevi  13,  page  58.  It  becomes  necessary  to  elect  a  member  of  the  Sunday- 
school  Board,  to  fill  the  place  of  Rev.  A.  R.  Kremer,  whose  term  of  office 
ends  at  this  meeting  of  the  Synod  ;  and  also  one  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by 
the  removal  of  Rev.  I).  W.  Ebbert  within  the  bounds  of  another  Synod. 

Item  14,  parjp  59.  The  Slated  Clerk  was  instructed  to  have  two  thousand 
copies  of  the  Acls  and  Proceedings  of  the  last  annual  sessions  of  the  Synod 
published  in  pamphlet  form,  and  to  distribute  them  among  those  entitled  to 
receive  Minutes  of  our  Synod. 

Item.  15,  page  63.  The  Committee  appointed  by  the  Synod  of  Hanover,  in 
1874,  to  prepare  and  publish,  jointly  with  a  similar  Committee  from  the  Synod 
of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States,  an  edition  of"  Hymns  for  the 
Reformed  Church,"  irilh  mime,  was  continued,  with  special  instructions  to 
have  the  same  published  at  the  earliest  practicable  time  ;  of  which  Committee 
Rev.  Dr.  Higbee  is  Chairman. 

Item  IQ,  page  Qo.  Tlie  Synod  requested  the  Classes  within  its  bounds  to 
order  a  collection  for  the  benefit  of  tiie  Society  for  the  Relief  of  Ministers  and 
Widows  of  Ministers  of  tlie  Reformed  Church,  to  be  taken  up  in  our  churches 
on  or  about  the  third  Sunday  in  June  last. 

Item.  17,  page  G7.  Zion's  Classis  is  earnestly  requested  to  take  upon  them- 
selves their  proper  apportionment  for  the  Washington  Mission  Chapel,  as 
allotted  at  the  Synod  of  Hagerstown  in  1878. 

Item  18,  page  67.    The  Synod  requested  those  who  should  be  delegated  from 
the  several  Classes  of  this  Synod  to  the  General  Synod  in  Tiffin,  to  urge  a 
return  to  the  ba^is  or  ratio  of  ministers  in  making  the  necessary  assessments 
for  Contingent  Purposes,  as  the  only  proper  and  equitable  one. 
Respectfully  submitted, 

Wm.  M.  Deatrick,  Chairman. 

For  the  action  of  Synod  on  item  1,  see  Article  IV.,  Rules  of  Or- 
der;  on  item  2,  see  Article  XXIL,  Ministerial  Necrology;  items 
3,  7,  8,  9,  16  and  17  were  referred  to  the  Standing  Committee  on 
Minutes  of  Classes  ;  on  item  4,  see  Article  XIII.,  Education  ;  items 
5,  6,  10, 12  and  13  were  referred  to  the  Standing  Committee  on  Nom- 
inations, to  make  the  required  nominations  ;  on  item  11,  see  Article 
XV.,  Finance  ;  on  items  14  and  15,  see  Article  XX.,  Publication  ; 
and  item  18  was  adopted  with  the  statement,  that  the  request  had 
not  been  complied  with. 

IL    REPORT   Ol^   COMMITTEE   ON   MINUTES   OF   GENERAL   SYNOD. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Minutes  of  the  General  Synod 
reported  during  the  session  of  Monday  afternoon.  The  report  of 
the  Committee  was  received,  disposed  of  item  by  item,  adopted  as  a 
whole,  and  is  as  follows  : 

The  Committee  on  Minutes  of  General  Synod  begs  leave  to 
report  the  following  items  : 

Itetn  1,  page  21.  The  Overture  of  this  Synod  to  the  General  Synod,  request- 
ing said  Synod  to  return  to  the  basis  or  ratio  of  ministers,  in  making  assess- 
ments for  contingent  expenses,  was  not  granted. 

Item  2,  page  50.     The  cause  of  Home  Missions  is  commended  to  the  District 


10 

Synods  and  their  Boards,  requesting  them  to  take  such  action  as  shall  increase 
the  activity  and  efficiency  of  the  Churcli  in  this  important  work. 

Item  3,  page  50  The  General  Synod  repeats  its  request,  that  the  Boards  of 
the  District  Synods  report  to  the  Board  of  the  General  Synod,  at  least  one 
month  before  its  triennial  meeting,  a  statement  of  their  labors  and  their  finan- 
cial condition  ;  and  each  Synod  is  also  requested  to  send  a  copy  of  its  Minutes 
annually  to  the  General  Synod's  Board. 

Item  4,  page  101.  Tlie  General  Synod  earnestly  requests  the  District  Synods 
to  take  such  action  as  may  be  deemed  best  to  establish  Orphan  Homes,  where 
necessary,  etc 

Item  5,  page  111.  The  General  Synod  declared  the  proposed  amendments  to 
the  Constitution,  as  sent  down  to  the  Classes  for  approval  or  rejection,  as  hav- 
ing been  all  adopted. 

Item  6,  page  112.  The  General  Synod  requests  the  District  Synods  to 
examine  and  give  an  expression  of  their  opinion  on  the  following  points  of 
the  proposed  revision  of  the  Constitution,  namely:  a)  Annual  Sessions  of  the 
General  Synod,  b)  Election  of  delegates  by  the  Synods  instead  of  the  Classes, 
c)  Concentration  of  Church-work  on  Boards  appointed  by  the  General  Synod. 

Item  7,  jMge  159.  The  General  Synod  recommends  an  additional  column  to 
the  present  statistical  table,  in  which  the  estimated  value  of  Church  property 
shall  be  given. 

Item  8,  paffe  167.     The  General  Synod  assessed  this  Synod  in  the  sum  of 
.00  for  contingent  purposes. 

Item  9,  page  168.  The  attention  of  the  District  Synods,  delinquent  to  George 
Gelbach,  former  Treasurer  of  the  Church  Extension  Board,  is  called  to  said 
delinquency. 

Item  10,  page  170.  The  General  Synod  will  meet  in  the  Third  Eeformed 
Church  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  on  Wednesday  Evening,  May  7th,  A.  D.  1884,  at 
8  o'clock.  Respectfully  submitted, 

S.  S.  Miller,  Chairman. 

Items  1,2,  4,  5  and  10  were  severally  adopted  ;  item  3  was 
adopted,  and  the  attention  of  the  Board  of  Missions  was  directed 
to  the  matter ;  item  6  was  referred  to  a  Special  Committee,  consist- 
ing of  Revs.  W.  M.  Deatrick,  Dr.  Santee,  A.  J.  Heller,  H.  St.  J. 
Rinker,  Dr.  Welker,  and  Elders  G.  S.  Griffith,  C.  A.  Shultz,  and 
J.  R.  Pague ;  item  7  was  adopted,  and  the  attention  of  the  Classes 
called  to  the  matter  ;  item  8  was  adopted,  and  the  Committee  on 
Finance  was  ordered  to  make  the  necessary  assessment  to  meet  the 
same ;  and  item  9  was  adopted,  with  the  statement  that  the  Synod 
of  the  Potomac  is  not  delinquent  in  the  matter,  having  paid  its  full 
apportionment,  $232.00,  November  5th,  1874,  as  per  voucher. 


ARTICLE  IX. 
OVERTURES. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Overtures  presented  their  report, 
which  was  received,  acted  on  item  by  item,  adopted  as  a  whole,  and 
is  as  follows : 

The  Committee  on  Overtures  beg  leave  to  offer  the  following 
report,  from  letters  and  papers  placed  in  its  hands : 

No.  1.  An  overture  from  the  Iowa  Classis,  earnestly  petitioning  this  Synod 
to  aid  them  in  their  work  of  missions.     The  amount  asked  for  is  $500.00. 


11 

No.  2.  A  complaint  from  the  pastor  of  the  York  Springs  Charge  against 
certain  action  of  Zion's  Chissis,  at  its  meeting  in  Bloomfietd,  Perry  county,  Pa. 

No.  3.  A  letter  from  the  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Pittsburgh  Synod, 
stating  that  said  Synod  had  selected  the  Rev.  Dr.  Theo.  Appel  as  its  choice 
for  Superintendent  of  Missions  for  the  ensuing  term. 

No.  4.  A  letter  from  the  Secretary  of  tiie  Tri-Synodic  Board  of  Missions, 
giving  the  request  of  said  Board,  that  all  collections  taken  up  for  Home  Mis- 
sions, during  our  present  sessions,  be  sent  to  the  Treasurer  of  that  Board. 

No.  5.  A  statement  of  the  Bethany  Orphans'  Home,  from  the  President  of 
the  Board  of  Managers  and  the  Superintendent  of  the  Home,  presenting  the 
condition  and  wants  of  said  institution. 

No.  6.  A  request  froai  the  Northern  Illinois  Classis,  asking  permission  to 
send  a  financial  agent  into  the  bounds  of  this  Synod,  with  the  view  of  collect- 
ing funds  for  the  founding  of  a  College  by  said  Classis. 

No.  7.  Three  petitions  from  congregations  of  the  York  Springs  Charge, 
joining  their  pastor  in  iiis  complaint  against  the  action  of  Zion's  Classis, 
already  referred  to  in  this  report,  under  item  2. 

No.  8.  A  commimication  from  Kev.  Dr.  Wanner,  asking  the  Synod  to  give 
a  deliverance  on  tlie  nature  of  a  complaint,  whether  or  not  it  stays  the  action  of 
the  Clas.sis. 

No.  9.  A  letter  from  Rev.  J.  Gantenbein,  of  Portland,  Oregon,  asking  the 
Synod  to  excuse  his  absence,  and  requesting  that  the  licentiates  Albert  Kreu- 
ter  and  P'rederick  Ewald,  sent  out  as  missionaries  from  Basel,  Switzerland,  to 
be  enrolled  as  members  of  the  Portland-Oregon  Classis. 

No.  10.     A  request  from  Rev.  Henry  Miller,  asking  the  Synod  to  give  a 
deliverance  on  the  propriety  of  raising  funds  for  missionary  and  church  pur- 
poses by  means  of  festivals,  excursions,  picnics,  etc. 
Respectfully  submitted, 

J.  Hassler,  Chairman. 

Item  1  was  referred  to  the  Standing  Commiltee  on  Missions,  after 
the  letter  had  been  read.  For  the  action  of  Synod  on  items  2  and 
7,  see  Article  XVII.,  Complaints;  items  3,  4  and  9  were  adopted, 
the  requests  being  granted  ;  on  items  5  and  10,  see  Article  XXI., 
Miscellaneous  ;  item  6  was  referred  to  the  Standing  Committee  on 
Education  for  consideration;  and  the  request  of  Rev.  Dr.  Wanner, 
contained  in  item  8,  was  answered  in  the  negative,  i.  e.,  that  a  com- 
plaint does  not  stay  the  action  of  the  Classi. 


ARTICLE  X. 

MINUTES   OF   CLASSES. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Minutes  of  Classes  presented  their 
report  during  the  session  of  Monday  afternoon,  which  was  received, 
disposed  of  item  by  item,  amended,  then  adopted  as  a  whole,  and  is 
as  follows : 
To  the  Reverend  Synod  of  the  Potomac  : 

Dear  Brktiiren:  Your  Committee  on  Minutes  of  Classes,  after  a  careful 
examination  of  the  same,  find  the  following  items  claiming  the  attention  of 
the  Synod : 

I.   IRREGULARITIES 

1.  The  Clas.ses  of  Zion,  North  Carolina,  San  Francisco,  and  Porfland-Ore- 
gon,  failed  to  incorporate  the  reports  of  their  respective  treasurers  in  their 
Minutes,  as  furnished  to  the  Synod. 


12 

2.  The  Classis  of  North  Carolina  fails  to  give  the  hour  at  which  it  con- 
venes next  year. 

3.  The  same  Classis  failed  to  elect  a  delegate  secundus  to  the  late  General 
Synod. 

II.    REQUESTS   AND    RECOMMENDATIONS. 

4.  Zion's  Classis  requests  the  formation  of  three  Classes  out  of  their  present 
t  rritory. 

5.  Virginia  Classis  requests  that  the  Synod  allow  her  to  use  the  balance  of 
a  missionary  apportionment  of  '?150  00  within  her  own  bounds. 

6.  San  Francisco  Classis  requests  the  Synod  to  give  its  attention  to  the 
large  cities  along  the  Pacific  coast,  as  affording  an  inviting  field  for  Mission- 
ary effort. 

7.  Portland-Oregon  Classis  requests  the  Synod  to  establish  a  German  Pro- 
fessorship in  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Lancaster,  Pa. 

8.  Tlie  same  Classis  requests  the  Synod  to  exonerate  her  from  the  appor- 
tionment of  $25.00  for  Home  Missions. 

III.    APPEALS   AND    COMPLAINTS. 

9.  The  Rev.  A.  Wanner  complains  to  the  Synod  of  the  action  of  Zion's 
Classis  in  the  division  of  his  pastoral  charge. 

IV.   SUBJECTS   REFERRED   TO   THE    CLASSES. 

10.  All  the  Classes  took  favorable  action  upon  the  subjects  referred 
to  them. 

11.  The  Virginia  Classis  returns  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the  Synod  for  its 
favorable  action  in  reference  to  the  missionary  work  within  the  bounds  of  the 
Classis. 

12.  Portland-Oregon  Classis  expresses,  in  tender  terms,  its  sincere  gratitude 
to  the  Synod  for  its  very  warm  expression  of  sympathy  in  its  behalf. 

V.    LICENSED,   ORDAINED,    RECEIVED   AND    DISMISSED, 

13.  Zion's  Classis  licensed  Calvin  S.  Slagle  and  dismissed  him  to  the  Mer- 
cersburg  Classis  ;  received  the  licentiate  Alfred  F.  Dreisbach  from  the  Fas* 
Pennsylvania  Classis,  and  ordained  him  to  the  Holy  Ministry ;  received  the 
Rev.  Henry  T.  Spangler  from  the  Eastern  Ohio  Classis,  the  Rev.  Walter  E. 
Krebs  from  the  Fast  Susquehanna  Classis,  and  the  Rev.  David  N.  Dittmar 
from  the  Mercersburg  Classis  ;  and  dismissed  the  Rev.  William  F.  Colli- 
tlower  to  the  Maryland  Classis. 

14.  Maryland  Classis  received  the  Revs.  William  A.  Gring  and  Jacob  B. 
Kerschner  from  the  Mercersburg  Classis,  the  Rev.  William  F.  Colliflower 
from  the  Zion's  Cla.ssis  of  this  Synod,  and  the  Rev.  Henry  W.  Hoffmeier  from 
the  Clarion  Clas-is ;  and  dismissed  the  Rev.  Abner  R.  Kremer  to  the  Virginia 
Classis. 

15.  Mercersburg  Classis  licensed  Edgar  S.  Hassler,  George  B.  Resser,  and 
Albert  A.  Black  ;  received  the  licentiates  Cyrus  J.  Musser  from  the  Somerset 
Classis,  and  Calvin  S.  Slagle  from  Zion's  Classis  of  this  Synod,  and  ordained 
them  to  the  work  of  the  Holy  Ministry;  received  George  B.  Russell,  D.  D.. 
from  the  Maryland  Classis,  and  the  Rev.  Cyrus  Cort  from  the  Iowa  Classis ; 
and  dismissed  the  licentiate  Samuel  H.  Eisenberg  to  the  Westmoreland 
Classis,  the  Rev.  David  N.  Dittmar  to  Zion's  Classis  of  this  Synod,  the  Rev. 
Henry  I.  Comfort  to  the  Miami  Classis,  the  Rev.  David  W.  Ebbert  to  the 
Philadelphia  Classis,  EInathan  E.  Higbee,  D.  D.,  and  the  licentiate  George  F. 
Mull  to  the  Lebanon  Classis,  the  Revs.  Wm.  A.  Gring  and  Jacob  B.  Kerschner 
to  the  Maryland  Classis,  and  the  licentiate  George  B.  Resser  to  the  Lancaster 
Classis  of  the  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States. 

16.  Virginia  Classis  received  the  Rev.  Abner  R.  Kremer  from  the  Mary- 
land Classis. 


13 

17.  North  Carolina  Classis  licensed  Paul  Barringer,  and  ordained  liira  to 
tlie  Holy  Ministry;  received  tiie  Rev.  G.  Dickey  Gurley  from  tlie  VVestmore- 
land  Classis ;  and  dismissed  the  liev.  Julius  II.  Shuford  to  tiie  Shelby  Classis. 

18.  San  Francisco  Classis  received  the  Rev.  Charles  Ilartman  from  the 
Indiana  ClaWi.'*. 

19.  Portland-Oregon  Classis  received  the  licentiates  Albert  Kreuter  and 
Frederick  Ewald  from  the  Reformed  Church  of  Switzerland. 

VI.    PLACE   AND   TIME    OF    TIIE    NEXT    ANNUAL    MEETINGS    OF   THE 

CLASSES. 

20.  Zion's  Classis  will  meet  in  Trinity  Reformed  Church,  York,  York 
county,  Pa.,  on  Tues(hiy,  May  30th,  a.  d.  1882,  at  10  o'clock  a.  m.  Rev.  H. 
Hilbish.  Fresulcnt;  Rev.  W."R.  II.  Deatrich,  Stated  Clerk;  and  Elder  C  A. 
Shultz,  IVeasnrer. 

21.  Maryland  Chissis  will  meet  in  Middletown,  Frederick  connty,  Md.,  on 
Wednesday",  May  31st,  a.  d.  1882,  at  7:30  o'clock  p.  m.  Rev.  T.  F.  Iloff- 
nieier,  President;  and  Rev.  S.  S.  Miller,  Slated  Clerk  and  Treasurer. 

22.  ^Mercersburg  Classis  will  meet  in  Mercersburg,  Franklin  count v,  Pa., 
on  Wednesday,  May  10th,  A  D.  1882,  at  7:30  o'clock  p.m.  Rev.  "W.  C. 
Cremer,  President ;  and  Rev.  Wm.  M.  Deatrick,  Stated  Clerk  and  Treasurer. 

23.  Virginia  Classis  will  meet  in  Middlebrook,  Augusta  county,  Va.,  on 
AVednesday,  May  17th,  A.  d.  1882,  at  7 :  30  o'clock  p.  k.  Rev.  A.  J.  Bowers, 
President;  Rev.  B.  R,  Carnahan,  Stated  Clerk;  and  Rev.  J.  A.  Hoffheins, 
IVeasurer. 

24.  North  Carolina  Classis  will  meet  in  Mt.  Zion  Church,  Rowan  county, 
N.  C,  on  Thursday,  May  11th,  A.  D.  1882,  at  —  o'clock.  Rev.  M.  L.  Hed- 
rick,  President;  Gr.  W.  AVelker,  D.  D.,  Stated  Clerk;  and  Rev.  T.  Long, 
Treasurer. 

25.  San  Francisco  Classis  will  meet  in  St.  John's  Church,  San  Francisco, 
Cal.,  on  Friday,  June  2d,  a.  d.  1882,  at  8  o'clock  p..  M.  Rev.  J.  Fuendeling, 
President;  Rev.  C.  F.  Wahlecker,  Stated  Clerk;  and  Elder  P.  Weiland, 
Treasui-er. 

2(5.     Portland-Oregon  Classis  will  meet  in  St.  Peter's  Reformed  Church  at 
Beaver  Creek,  Oregon  City,  Clackamas  county,  Oregon,  on  Thursday,  June  8th, 
a.  d.   1882,  at  7  :  .SO  o'clock  p.m.     Rev.  j"  Muellhaupt,  P;-€6-/c/e?t/ ;   Rev.  J. 
Lange,  Slated  Clerk;  and  Elder  F.  Koellermeier,  Treasurer. 
Respectfully  submitted, 

Hy.  St.  J.  RiNKER,  Chairman. 

Items  1,  2,  3,  5,  6,  and  10  to  26  inclusive,  were  severally 
adopted.  For  the  action  of  the  Synod  on  item  4,  see  Article  XIX., 
Church  Government ;  on  items  7  and  8,  see  Article  XXI.,  Miscel- 
laneous ;  and  on  item  9,  see  Article  XVII.,  Complaints. 


ARTICLE  XI. 

EXAMINATION,   LICENSURE    AND    ORDINATION. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Examination,  Licensure  and  Ordi- 
nation reported  as  follows,  which  was  adopted,  to  wit : 

The  Committee  on   E.^amination,  Licensure  and   Ordination   report  that 
there  has  been  nothing  for  the  Committee  to  do. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

Geo.  W.  Glessner,  Chairman. 


14 

ARTICLE   XII. 

STATE  OP  RELIGION  AND  STATISTICAL  REPORTS. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  the  State  of  Religion  and  Statistical 
Reports  presented  the  following  report,  during  the  session  of  Mon- 
day evening,  which  was  received,  amended,  and  adopted,  and  is  as 
follows  : 

REPORT   OF   COMMITTEE    ON   STATE   OF    RELIGION — SYNOD    OF 

POTOMAC. 

Reverend  Fathers  and  Brethren :  Through  the  mercy  of  God,  we  have  been 
permitted  to  meet  once  more  as  a  Synod,  to  hear  and  tell  what  God  has  done 
for  us  and  wrought  by  us,  and  in  our  midst,  and  to  devise  means  and  measures, 
looking  to  the  building  up,  increase  and  prosperity  of  our  Reformed  Zion. 
Through  dangers  seen  and  unseen,  through  dilScuIties  and  trials,  often  sore 
and  severe,  and  amidst  the  shafts  of  death  which  are  flying  all  around  us, 
striking  down  one  here  and  another  there,  God  has  safely  led  us  on  and  brought 
us  here.  And  here  we  are  to-day,  ministers  and  elders,  the  monuments  of 
God's  watchful,  preserving,  and  loving  care.  Well  may  each  one  of  us  ex- 
claim :  "  What  shall  I  render  unto  the  Lord  for  all  His  benefits  toward  me'i"' 
and,  ''  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul:  and  all  that  is  within  me,  bless  Ilis  holy 
name.'' 

We  are  called  on,  and  it  is  meet  and  right  for  us  so  to  do,  to  thank  God  that 
we  are  permitted  to  meet  as  brethren,  to  dwell  together,  deliberate,  and  con- 
sult with  each  other  in  unity  and  peace.  Thank  God,  that  the  peace  move- 
ment, which  was  inaugurated  over  three  years  ago,  has  been  happily  consum- 
mated, and  that  peace  and  harinony  now  reigri  throughout  the  length  and 
breadth  of  the  Church.  Instead  of  wasting  their  energies  in  fruitless  contro- 
versies, unhallowed  bickerings  and  strife,  the  brethren  can  now,  and  do  now, 
as  the  Classical  reports,  in  the  opinion  of  your  committee,  clearly  show, 
employ  themselves  more  in  working  for  God,  for  the  salvation  of  souls,  and 
for  the  prosperity  and  good  of  the  Church. 

Now,  as  a  consequence,  in  part,  of  the  reign  of  peace  and  harmony  through- 
out the  Church,  the  reports  of  the  difTerent  Classes  come  to  us  fraught  witli 
glad  tidings — with  good  news.  They  tell  us,  that  God  has  prospered  us,  and 
blessed  the  labors  of  His  ministering  servants,  during  the  past  year,  to  an 
extent,  and  in  a  degree,  not  known  in  any  previous  year  of  the  history  of  this 
Synod.  They  tell  us,  that  in  every  department  of  Church  work,  and  in  every 
interest  pertaining  to  such  work,  considerable  progress  has  been  made;  that 
ministers  and  people  have  not  been  asleep,  nor  standing  idle  in  the  vineyard 
of  the  Lord  ;  that  our  people  are  becoming  more  and  more  alive  to  their  duty, 
and,  to  an  encouraging  degree,  have  been  doing  what  their  hands  found  to  do; 
that  ministers  have  been  alive  to  the  responsibilities  resting  on  them,  as  God's 
ambassadors,  and  faithful  to  their  ordination  vows;  that  they  have  been  ac- 
tive, earnest  and  zealous,  in  discharging  the  duties  of  their  calling,  in  preach- 
ing the  Gospel,  in  visiiing  the  sick  and  dying,  and  administering  to  them  the 
consolations  of  religion,  in  catechising  the  young  and  receiving  members  into 
the  Church,  and  in  administering  the  sacraments.  And  their  labors,  it  ap- 
pears, were  not  in  vain,  but  l-esulted  in  producing  much  fruit  to  the  glory  of 
God,  in  the  numbers  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth,  made  savingly  ac- 
quainted with  Christ,  and  in  the  edification  and  growth  in  grace  of  believers. 
The  reports,  that  have  come  down  to  us  from  the  different  Classes,  inform 
us,  that  an  unusual  number  of  new  churches  have  been  built  during  the  last 
year,  and  many  old  ones  repaired  and  beautified.  This,  too,  certainly  has  its 
significance.     Say  not,,  that  all  this  is  in  the  interest  of  pride  and  vain  show. 


15 

It  evidences,  tliat  there  is  a  right  spirit  at  work  amongst  our  people.  Where 
there  is  no  love  for  God's  house,  no  interest  taken  in  its  proper  coulelines^<, 
decency  and  heauty ;  where  there  is  no  desire  tliat  God  may  have  a  house 
worthy  His  glorious  cliaracter  and  name,  there  is  very  little  true  piety — little 
of  the  spirit  of  true  devotion.  If  we  love  God,  we  will  certainly  love  the 
house  in  which  He  is  worshipped,  and  where  He  meets  and  blesses  His  peo- 
ple. Where  there  is  no  true  reverence  for  God,  there  is  no  reverence  for  tlie 
house  in  whicli  He  has  recorded  His  name,  and  in  which  He  dwells.  How 
can  we  feel  rij^ht,  and  worship  God  ariglit,  in  spirit  and  in  truth,  in  an  un- 
siglitly,  uncomely,  and  iilthy  liouse  of  worship  ?  Where  there  is  true  zeal 
for  God,  tiiere  certainly  is  zeal  for  His  sanctuary — a  zeal  that  has  regard  for, 
and  looks  to,  its  beauty  and  comeliness. 

The  grace  of  liberality  has  abounded  amongst  our  people  during  the  past 
year,  and  abounded  to  a  greater  extent  tiian  in  any  previous  year.  The 
different  objects  of  benevolence  were  remembered  and  tolerably  well  sus- 
tained and  supported,  (tolerably  well  sustained  and  supported  in  comparii^on  with 
the  support  they  received  in  former  years.)  Would  to  God,  that  this  giace — tlie 
grace  of  liberality— may  abound  still  more  and  more,  and  that  our  people 
may  soon  be  brougiit  to  see  and  feel,  that  tiiey  are  not  their  own,  but  belong 
to  their  faitliful  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ,  and  that  all  they  have  belongs 
to  Him,  and  sliould  be  consecrated  to  His  service  and  cause.  The  language 
of  one  Classical  report  is :  "  An  advance  has  been  made  on  the  part  of  our 
people  in  liberality.  Tiie  pastors  present  all  came  prepared  to  meet  the  as- 
sessments laid  by  Classis  on  tlieir  several  charges,  and  some  of  them  have 
gone  considerably  beyond  what  they  were  asked  by  Classis  to  do,  in  order  to 
meet  the  pressing  wants  of  the  Church."  Another  Classical  report  says :  "  We 
notice,  with  special  pleasure,  the  increased  benevolence  of  the  churches.  The 
cause  of  Missions,  Home  and  Foreign,  has  been  more  faithfully  remembered 
than  usual."  The  report  coming  from  another  Classis  conveys  the  pleasin.^ 
intelligence,  that  within  the  bounds  of  that  Classis,  '•  the  amounts  raised  for 
the  ditlerent  benevolent  objects  and  interests  of  the  Church  have  been  much 
increased  over  that  of  former  years."  It  says  further :  "  It  is  with  joy  we  hail 
the  increasing  spirit  of  lil)erality,  for  it  is  evidently  indicative  of  growth  in 
spiritual  life,  light  and  love.''  The  acts  and  proceedings  of  another  Classis,  at 
its  last  annual  meeting,  reveal  the  fact,  that,  within  the  bounds  of  that  Classis, 
"  the  duty  of  giving  Ls  better  understood." 

Our  brethren  on  the  Pacilic  coast  are  not  idle,  but  doing  all  they  can  to 
push  forward  the  work  committed  to  their  hands.  In  spite  of  the  limited 
means  at  tiieir  disposal, — in  spite  of  the  difficulties  with  which  they  have  to 
contend,  and  of  many  discouragements,  they  are  doing  a  good  work.  The  truih 
is,  taking  all  things  into  consideration,  they  are  doing  remarkably  well.  They 
deserve  the  gratitude  of  the  Church  for  their  self-denying  efforts  and  labors  to 
extend  the  boundaries  of,  and  build  up,  the  Keformed  Church  in  those  remote 
regions  of  our  land. 

From  the  different  Classical  reports  we  gather  the  gratifying  intelligence, 
that  our  people  are  becoming  more  and  more  interested  in  Foreign  missionary 
work,  and  more  and  more  disposed  in  the  way  of  sympathy,  and  by  their 
money  and  prayers,  to  further  the  good  cause  of  Foreign  Missions,  and  sustain 
our  missionary  now  in  the  foreign  field.  Tiiis  is  as  it  should  be.  We  need 
not  look  for  much  success  in  our  efforts  to  build  up  our  Church  at  home,  if  we 
shut  up  our  bowels  of  compiission  from  the  benighted  heathen,  and  close  our 
ears  against  the  Macedonian  cry,  coming  up  to  us  from  the  dark  corners  of 
the  earth  :  "  Come  over  and  help  us." 

Your  Committee  is  glad  to  rei)ort  increased  interest  on  the  part  of  ministers 
and  people  in  tlie  Sunday-school  cause.  Conventions  have  been  held,  and 
various  other  means  and  methods  employed  for  the  purpose  of  waking  up  our 
people  to  a  lively  sense  of  the  importance  of  Sunday-schools,  and  stirring  them 


16 

up  to  increased  activity  in  Snnday-scliool  work.  The  language  of  one  of  the 
Classical  reports,  in  reference  to  this  subject,  is  as  follows :  "  We  notice  with 
great  pleasure,  that  tlie  Sunday-school  work  of  the  Classis  is  receiving  special 
care  and  attention  on  the  part  of  the  ministry  and  people.  Conventions  have 
been  held  in  eacii  district,  and  new  energy  awakened  by  their  influence."  So 
say  pretty  much  all  the  reports.  * 

One  of  our  ministerial  brethren  has  gone  to  his  reward  since  we  last  met. 
The  Rev.  John  H.  Sykes  was  called  suddenly  and  unexpectedly  away  after 
his  return  home  from  the  last  meeting  of  Synod.  In  the  midst  of  his  useful- 
ness and  labors  he  was  summoned  to  his  reward.     In  the  language  of  Wesley, 

"  His  labors  with  his  life  laid  dfiwii, 
He  ceased  at  once  to  work  and  live." 

And  here  it  is  well  also  to  make  mention  of  the  death  of  the  Kev.  Dr. 
Fisher.  Though  not  a  member  of  this  Synod,  still  it  is  proper,  on  account  of 
a  long  life  spent  in  the  service  of  the  Church,  and  his  many  and  valuable  ser- 
vices rendered  to  the  Church,  to  make  honorable  mention  of  his  name  here. 
He  died  away  from  his  home,  in  TifHn,  Ohio,  shortly  after  tiie  adjournment 
of  the  General  Synod.  It  becomes  us  all  to  lay  to  heart  the  admonition  of 
the  Saviour:  "  Tlierefore  be  ye  also  ready;  for  in  such  an  hour  as  ye  think 
not,  the  Son  of  man   cometh." 

But,  alas  !  we  have  not  all  sweet  to  offer  you.  We  have  not  all  good  news. 
AVith  the  sweet  there  is  also  a  little  that  is  bitter.  With  the  good  evil  is 
alway.s  mixed.  Sorrow  is  often  mingled  with  our  joys,  and  pain  with  plea- 
sure. So  it  always  has  been  in  this  world,  and  so  we  may  expect  it  to  be  as 
long  as  the  world  stands.  There  is  no  pleasure  here  without  being  received, 
to  a  certain  extent,  with  pain,  and  no  sweet  without  its  bitter.  The  reports 
coming  down  to  us  from  the  different  Classes,  whilst  they  contain  much  tliat 
is  encouraging  and  comforting,  much  to  cheer  our  hearts,  much  to  awaken 
hope  for  the  future,  and  much  to  stimulate  us  to  renewed  exertion  in  time  to 
come,  they  contain  much  also  that  is  calculated  to  sadden  the  heart.  The 
Church  is,  and  will  be,  as  long  as  she  is  in  this  world,  militant.  In  her, 
darkness  M'ill  be  mingled  with  light,  error  witii  truth,  evil  with  good,  right- 
eousness and  holiness  with  sin,  as  long  as  she  is  in  her  militant  state.  And  it  is 
certain,  judging  from  the  classical  reports,  that  our  branch  of  the  Church,  as 
well  as  other  branches  of  the  Church  Catholic,  has  not  yet  reached  her  proj;er 
status,  and  attained  her  pro]ier  position  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  in  the  scale 
of  Christian  perfection.  She  is  still  lacking  in  many  respects — still  far  from 
being  what  she  ought  to  be.  She  has  still  enough  to  lament  over.  She  has 
still  to  mourn  over  the  imperfections,  short-comings  and  sins  of  her  members; 
of  indifierence  on  the  part  of  many  towards  her  ordinances,  means  of  grace, 
and  things  spiritual,  divine  and  heavenly ;  to  mourn  becau-^e  so  many  within 
our  fold  dishonor  their  profession,  and  do  not  walk  worthy  of  the  calling 
wherewith  they  were  called  ;  to  lament  and  mourn  because  many  within  her 
pale  love  the  world  more  than  they  love  God,  and  because  greed  for  the  world 
prevents  them  from  discharging  their  duty  to  God  and  the  Church,  in  the 
way  of  liberally  supporting  and  sustaining  every  good  cause. 

"  Now  unto  Him  that  is  able  to  do  exceeding  abundantly  above  all  that  we 
ask  or  think,  according  to  the  power  that  worketh  in  us,  unto  Him  be  glory 
in  the  Church,  by  Christ  Jesus  throughout  all  ages,  world  without  end.  Amen." 
Respectfully  submitted, 

Geo.  H.  Martin,  Chairman. 

[For  Statistical  Tables  see  Appendix.] 


17 


ARTICLE^XIII. 

EDUCATION. 
The  Board  of  Education  presented  its  annual  report  to  the  Synodt 
during  Thursday  forenoon's  session,  which  was  received,  and  then 
referred   to  the  Standing  Committee  on  Education.     The  repor, 
is  as  follows,  to  wit : 

I.  REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OP  EDUCATION. 

To  the  Reverend  Synod  of  the  Potomac : 

Tlie  Board  of  Educa'ion  bogs  leave  to  prefient  to  the  Synod  the  following 
report  of  its  operations,  during  the  past  synodical  year: 

At  its  meeting  in  Woodstock,  iield  near  the  close  of  the  last  annual  sessions 
of  the  Synod,  the  Boani  was  organized  by  tlie  re  election  of  the  ollicers  of  the 
previous  year,  and  by  the  re-appointment  of  the  same  Executive  Committee. 

The  Board  had  under  its  care,  and  supervision,  during  the  last  synodical 
year,  seven  beneficiary  students.  Four  of  these  pursued  tlieir  studies  in  the 
Theological  Seminary  at  Lancaster,  Pa.  Two  of  them  completed  the  full 
three  years'  course  in  the  Seminary  last  May,  and  were  regularly  graduated 
from  that  institution.  On  the  day  following  their  graduation,  they  were  duly 
licensed  to  preach  the  gospel  by  the  Mercersburg  Classis,  at  an  adjourned 
meeting  held  in  Chambersburg,  Pa. 

One  of  the  theological  students,  by  permission  of  the  Board,  and  also  of  the 
Classis  aiding  him,  was  allowed  to  intermit  his  studies  in  the  Middle  Class  of 
tlie  Seminary  last  January,  with  the  view  of  spending  a  year  or  two  in  teaching, 
and  then  resuming  and  concluding  his  theological  studie:^. 

At  the  present  time,  the  Board  has  only  four  beneficiaries  to  furnish  with 
funds.  One  of  these  is  a  member  of  the  Senior  and  another  a  member  of  the 
Junior  Class  in  the  Seminary.  And  one  is  in  the  Senior  Class  and  the 
remaining  one  in  the  Junior  Class  of  Franklin  and  Marsiiall  College.  Thus 
it  will  be  seen,  that  in  less  tlian  a  year  hence  the  Board  will  have  under  its 
care  only  three  beneliciary  students,  unless,  in  the  mean  time,  others  are 
received  under  its  supervision  and  care. 

By  a  careful  examination  of  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Synod  and  the 
several  District  Synods,  the  painful  faot  becomes  apparent,  that  there  is,  at  the 
present  lime,  a  gradual  diminution  going  on  in  the  number  of  young  men  pre- 
paring tiiemselves  for  the  gospel  ministry  in  our  Church.  Whilst  the  borders 
of  our  Zion  are  being  extended,  and  tlie  demand  for  thoroughly  equipped 
workmen  is  increasing,  the  number  of  those  in  a  regular  course  of  training  for 
tiie  needed  work  is  gradually  growing  less  from  year  to  year.  Pastoral 
charges  also  are  being  divided  and  new  ones  formed.  Eflicient  pastors  like- 
wise are  being  removed  by  the  hand  of  death.  At  the  present  time,  the  num- 
ber of  candidates  for  the  ministry  in  our  branch  of  the  Church  catholic  is  not 
adequate  to  supply  these  demands,  let  alone  meet  a  true  missionary  spirit,  such 
as  should  by  all  means  characterize  us.  If  this  state  of  afiairs  is  suflered  to 
continue,  it  will  not  be  long  until  the  Reformed  Church  can  disband  her 
Boards  of  Education  and  close  her  Theological  Seminaries.  Is  it  right  and 
proper,  beloved  bretliren  of  the  Synod,  for  us  to  close  our  eyes  against  such 
Bolenni  facts  as  these,  which  so  painfully  confront  us,  and  not  endeavor,  as 
Ciiristian  men,  to  meet  them? 

A  living  personal  ministry  is  absolutely  essential  to  the  existence  of  the 
Church  among  men.  Now,  as  in  the  Apostolic  age,  the  Ciuirch  rests,  not  on 
abstract  confession  or  given  system  f)f  theology,  but  on  a  living  personal  min- 
istry— on  the  foundation  of  the  Apostles  and  Prophets,  Jesus  Christ  Himself 
being  the  chief  corner-stone.  An  ordained  ministry,  acting  under  an  apostolic 
2 


18 

commission,  and  presenting  to  men,  continually  from  age  to  age,  the  mysteries 
of  grace  ihrongh  their  ofHce,  divinely  originated,  and  of  truly  supernatural 
character  and  force,  must  be  maintained  by  any  Church  which  claims  to  act 
in  the  name  of  Clirist  for  the  salvation  of  men.  ^Nothing,  therefore,  can  be  of 
more  profound  and  solemn  concern  to  the  Reformed  Church,  than  the  fact 
which  so  painfully  challenges  it,  in  an  actual  and  marked  decrease  in  the  num- 
ber of  those  preparing  for  the  work  of  the  holy  ministry. 

In  order  to  secure  candidates  for  the  sacred  office,  there  must  be  a  prevailing 
consecration  to  the  Cliurch  among  our  people,  such  as  will  serve  to  challenge 
our  young  men  as  a  voice  from  Christ  Himself,  to  set  themselves  apart  for  the 
Lord,  to  prepare  for  the  work  of  the  Christian  ministry.  And  just  here  the 
question  confronts  us.  How  can  this  necessary  spirit  of  consecration  lo  the 
Church  of  Christ  be  more  universally  enkindled  among  our  people,  that  our 
young  men  may,  at  all  times,  be  called  out  and  stimulated  to  dedicate  them- 
selves to  the  ministry,  as  called  thereto  by  the  very  community  where  they 
are?  Of  course,  much  is  dependent  here  upon  the  earnest  activity  of  our 
pastors.  As  were  St.  Paul  and  his  co-laborers,  so  must  they  be  anxious  to 
devote  the  first  fruits  of  their  labors,  of  their  catechisation  and  pastoral  super- 
vision and  visitation,  especially  to  the  office  of  the  ministry.  They  must  keep 
steadily  before  their  faith  that  the  richest  bloom  of  their  whole  work  is  that  of 
having  pointed  and  carried  forward  their  spiritual  sons  to  the  rank  of  co- 
laborers  with  themselves  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord. 

And,  if  at  all  earnest  in  our  work  of  securing  students  to  study  and  prepare 
themselves  for  ordination,  we  cannot,  of  course,  fiiil,  at  the  same  time,  to  be 
equally  interested  in  the  matter  of  securing  the  necessary  funds  to  assure  the 
full  education  of  the  sauie  for  their  solemn  and  responsible  work.  The  two 
are,  in  our  mind,  inseparable.  J/Iost  signally,  too,  in  the  case  of  the  ministry, 
has  the  declaration  of  the  Saviour  shown  profound  truthfulness,  that  ''  the 
poor  always  ye  have  with  you."  It  is  emphatically  from  the  ranks  of  the 
poor,  in  a  great  majority  of  cases,  that  the  candidates  for  the  ministry  in  the 
Reformed  Church  come.  The  office  itself,  which  involves  the  idea  of  great 
self-denial,  seems  to  necessitate  this.  "  Not  many  wise  men  after  the  flesh, 
not  many  mighty,  not  many  noble  are  called.'' 

The  whole  subject  is  respectfully  referred  to  the  most  earnest  and  prayerful 
consideration  of  the  Svnod,  now  in  session. 

The  Board  thankfully  acknowledges  the  receipt,  a  few  months  since,  of 
$300.00,  being  a  part  of  the  bequest  of  Samuel  Bu.5sard,  formerly  an  elder  in 
the  Friend's  Cove  Church  of  Bedford  county.  Pa.,  who  died  several  years  ago. 

The  Treasurer  of  the  Board  gratefully  acknowledges  the  receipt  of  the  fol- 
lowing contributions  for  Beneficiary  Education,  during  the  last  fiscal  year. 
The  aggregate  sum  contributed  by  each  pastoral  charge  is  given,  omitting  the 
items  and  dates  of  payment : 

SYNOPSIS  OF   treasurer's   REPORT. 

Maryland  Classis. 

Sunday-school  of  Evangelical  Reformed  Church  of  Frederick,  Anni- 
versary Offering 195  67 

Evangelical  Reformed  Church  of  Frederick 92  16 

First  Church  of  Baltimore 45  00 

Hagerstown  Charge 42  40 

Middletown  Charge 40  00 

Cavetown  Charge 30  00 

Third  Ciiurch  of  Baltimore  .    .    .    • •  30  00 

Manchester  Charge 25  00 

Mechanicstown  Charge 18  00 

St.  Paul's  Church  of  Baltimore 17  50 


19 

!Mount  Moriali  Charge 15  00 

Jefierson  Charge 15  00 

Westminster  Charge 9  08 

Mount  Pleasant  Charge 5  00 

Amount $479  81 

Mercersburg  Classis. 

Chambersburg  Charge  .    .    .    .   • $50  00 

Waterstreet             "        •    .    • 50  00 

Bedford                    "        45  00 

Yellow  Creek         "        25  00 

Greenfield               "        24  65 

Orbisonia                 "         24  00 

Woodcock  Valley  "        •    .  28  00 

St.  Thomas              "        20  00 

Mont  Alto               " 20  00 

Martinsburg            "        15  00 

Greencastle              ''        15  00 

Altoona                    "        15  00 

Wavnesboro            "        13  50 

Huntingdon             "        13  35 

Everett                    "        10  54 

Loudon                   " 10  07 

St.  Clairsville         "        10  00 

Friend's  Cove         "        10  00 

Sulphur  Spring      "        10  00 

Clover  Creek           '' 5  00 

Hickory  Bottom     "        6  00 

St.  John's  Church  of  Chambersburg 5  00 

Shippensburg  Charge 5  00 

McConnellsburg     "        : 3  00 

Schellaburg             '*        1  74 

Amount • ?429  85 


Virginia  Classis. 

InterestonAbsalomEinkerlegacy,  perRev.  J.  A.  Hoffheins,  Treas.  .  ?160  00 

Bequests. 

Beque.st,  in  part,  of  Samuel  Bus.sard,  late  of  Friend's  Cove,  Pa.  .    .  $300  00 

Int.  on  Jacob  Stoudenour  legacy  for  one  year,  per  Treas.  of  Synod  .  12  00 

RECAPITULATION. 

Summary  of  Receipts. 

October  11,  1880.     Balance  in  Treasury $276  10 

Received  from  Maryland  Classis      479  81 

''        ''     Mercersburg .  429  85 

Part  of  bequest  of  Samuel  Bussard 300  00 

Interest  on  Absalom  Rinker's  legacy 160  00 

Interest  on  Jacob  Stoudenour's  legacy 12  00 

Total  Receipts $1,657  76 


20 

Summary  of  Payments. 

Paid  beneficiary  students  of  Mercersburg  Classis $356  25 

"                          "                 Maryland  Classis 337  50 

"                        "                Virginia  Classis 175  00 

Postage,  revenue  stamps,  etc.  , • 2  21 

October  17, 1881.     Balance  in  Treasury 786  80 

Total  payments $,1,657  76 

Respectfully  submitted  by 

The  Board  of  Education. 

We  hereby  do  certify,  that  we  have  carefully  audited  the  account  of  Rev. 
William  M.  Deatrick,  Treasurer  of  the  Board  of  Education  of  the  Synod  of 
the  Potomac,  by  vouchers,  and  find  the  same  to  be  correct. 

The  foregoing  Synopsis  and  Recapitulation  are  a  true  and  faithful  statement 
of  the  same.     There  is  a  balance  in  the  Treasury,  at  this  date,  of  $786.80. 

Mercersburg,  Pa.,  October  17,  1881. 


I.  G  Brown,  1    ^ 
J.Hassler,    I  Committee. 


II.     REPORT   OF   BOARD    OF   VISITORS    OF   THEOLOGICAL   SEMINARY. 

The  following  is  the  Report  of  the  Board  of  Visitors  of  the 
Theological  Seminary,  as  furnished  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Board, 
to  wit : 

To  the  Synod  of  the  Potomac  : 

Dear  Brethren:  The  Board  of  Visitors  of  the  Theological  Seminary  presents 
to  your  honorable  body  through  the  undersigned,  the  following  as  their  Annual 
Report : 

At  the  opening  of  the  Seminary  in  September  one  year  ago,  the  following 
persons  wei"e  admitted  as  members  of  the  Junior  Class,  fourteen  in  number : 
Solomon  A.  Alt,  Benjamin  F.  Bausman,  William  F.  Faber,  Geo.  W.  Gerliard, 
Daniel  N.  Harnish,  John  N.  Ploobaugh,  Alfred  P.  Horn,  Charles  W.  Levan, 
Henry  H.  Saugus,  David  B.  Schneder,  Frank  W.  Smith,  Adam  S.  Weber, 
Jairus  A.  Wickert  and  George  A.  Zeller.  The  Rev.  S.  Olin  Garrison,  an  or- 
dained minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  having  previously  pur- 
sued his  studies  in  the  Drew  Seminary  of  his  own  Church,  wishing  to  avail 
himself  of  the  opportunity  aflbrded  him  as  missionary  in  the  city  of  Lancaster, 
to  complete  his  theological  studies,  was  admitted  to  the  privileges  of  the  Sem- 
inary, and  he  finished  his  studies  with  the  Senior  Class. 

As  a  matter  of  regret  we  state  that  several  of  the  students  were  under  the 
necessity  of  absenting  themselves  from  the  Seminary  during  the  whole  or  a 
part  of  the  year  on  account  of  ill  health,  or  because  they  found  it  necessary  to 
engage  in  teaching  in  order  to  increase  their  funds  for  their  support  in  the 
future.  The  conduct  and  diligence  of  the  students  in  the  discharge  of  their 
duties  have,  as  a  general  thing,  been  good  and  commendable.  They  seek  to 
make  themselves  useful  in  the  Sunday  School,  and  during  the  year,  a  new  in- 
terest has  been  awakened  among  them  in  the  cause  of  missions  and  fostered  in 
Iheir  weekly  meetings.  The  examinations  at  the  close  of  the  year  were 
listened  to  with  much  interest  by  the  Board,  and  were  approved  as  satisfactory. 

Tlie  members  of  the  Senior  Class,  having  completed  the  prescribed  course  of 
studies,  and  sustained  their  final  examination  creditably  in  the  presence  of  the 
Board,  received  the  regular  certificate  of  dismission  prepared  for  this  purpose, 
setting  forth  these  facts,  at  the  Anniversary  of  the  Seminary  in  May  last.  They 
are  eleven  in  number,  and  their  names  are  as  follows  :  Albert  A.  Black,  T.  A. 


21 

Fpnstermaclier,  S.  Olin  Garrison,  Edwin  A.  Gernant,  Edgar  S.  Hassler,  Cos- 
mos H.  Herbst,  Newton  J.  Miller,  Cyrus  J.  Miisser,  George  B.  Kesser,  Calvin 
S.  Slagle  and  Joshua  Wolbaoh.  Most  of  them  have  entered  upon  the  active 
duties  of  the  ministry,  and  are  occupying  fields  of  usefulness  in  the  Church. 

The  Board  is  satisfied  with  the  work  done  by  the  Seminary  during  the  past 
year,  and  believe  that  there  is  cause  for  gratitude  and  thanksgiving  to  the 
Head  of  the  Church  for  the  measure  of  prosperity,  with  which  fie  has  hitherto 
favored  our  School  of  the  Prophets  The  whole  number  of  students  reported 
in  the  annual  catalogue,  present  and  absent,  was  31. 

Hitherto  the  Board  of  Visitors  lias  been  acting  in  the  capacity  of  a  Board  of 
Education,  but  in  accordance  with  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  the  U.  S.,  last 
year,  the  members  of  the  Board  of  Visitors  belonging  to  that  Synod,  have  or 
ganized  thfn'selves  into  a  Board  of  Education,  which  will  hereafter  transact 
its  business  apart  from  the  sessions  of  the  Board.  The  report  of  the  Treasurer 
is  annexed  to  this  report. 

The  Secretary  is  further  instructed  to  direct  the  attention  of  said  Sjnod  to 
the  following  action  of  the  Board  of  Visitors  at  its  last  Annual  Meetir.g. 

Resolved,  That  the  President  of  the  Board  be  instructed  to  draw  an  order  on 
the  Treasurer  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Theological  Seminary  in  favor 
of  Dr.  Theodore  Appel  for  $40  for  salary  as  Secretary  of  tb.e  Board  fcr  two 
years,  ordered  to  be  paid  by  the  Synod  at  its  last  Annual  Metiing  at  Meyers- 
town,  Pa.,  and  also  §20  as  salary  for  the  present  year,  and  likewise  an  order 
on  said  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  President  for  expenses  incurred  in  the  trans- 
mission of  sermons  of  the  graduating  class  through  the  mail  and  per  express 
— amounting  to  $2.31 — as  ordered  by  the  Synod  at  the  above  meeting. 

Resolved,  That  in  case  the  Treasurer  of  the  Theological  Seminary  refuses  to 
honor  the  above  orders,  the  Secretary  of  the  Board  be  instructed  to  incorporate 
the  fact  in  the  annual  report  of  this  Board  to  Synod  by  way  of  complaint. 

In  accordance  with  the  last  of  these  resolutions,  I  hereby  inform  the  Synod, 
that  the  Treasurer  of  the  Theological  Seminary  has  refused  to  honor  the  orders 
above  referred  to  when  presented  to  him.  I  further  state  that  he  has  refused 
to  pay  an  order  drawn  on  him  by  the  President  of  the  Board  for  $10.00,  the 
amount  needed  to  pay  for  the  new  diploma  or  "  certificate  of  dismission  "  pre- 
pared by  the  Secretary  as  ordered  by  the  Board. 

liespectfuUy  submitted, 

Theodore  Appel,  Sec'y  of  the  Board. 

III.    REPORTS   OF  THE   BOARDS   OF  TRUSTEES   OF  THE   THEOLOGICAL 
SEMINARY   AND   TREASURER. 

The  following  Reports  were  received  from  the  Board  of  Trustees 
and  of  the  Treasurer  of  the  Theological  Seminary,  to  wit : 

To  the  Synod  of  the  Potomac: 

Brethren  :  The  Board  of  Trustees  of  Theological  Seminary  respectfully  pre- 
sent their  Annual  Report : 

The  usual  meetings  have  been  held  during  the  year,  and  the  routine  business 
of  the  Board  has  been  transacted. 

We  received  a  copy  of  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  the  U.  S.,  directing  our 
Treasurer  ''  to  pay  all  orders  drawn  on  him  by  the  President  of  the  Board  of 
Visitors,  for  all  incidental  and  legitimate  expenses  incurred  by  the  Board  in 
the  transaction  of  its  business." 

We  have  not  complied  with  this  action  of  said  Synod  for  the  very  sufficient 
reason  that  we  are  about  three  hundred  dollars  short  of  necessary  funds  to 
pay  the  legitimate  expenses  of  the  Seminary  proper,  and  we  do  not  understand 
the  action  of  Synod  to  mean  that  these  drafts  upon  our  Treasurer  shall  take 
precedence  of  regular  standing  obligations,  such  as  Professors'  salaries,  coal. 


22 

light,  etc.,  incurred  in  running  the  Institution.  We  doubt,  also,  the  authority 
of  the  Synod  of  the  United  States,  to  pass  such  action  without  the  concurrence 
of  the  other  two  Synods  represented  in  both  the  Board  of  Trustees  and  Board 
of  Visitors  of  the  Seminary. 

Since  our  last  report,  some  of  our  investments  have  been  paid,  and  we  have 
been  compelled  to  reinvest  at  5  per  cent,  interest,  and  at  this  time  we  are 
notified  by  holders  of  $13,000  of  our  funds,  that  unless  we  allow  them  to  keep 
their  loans  at  5  per  cent.,  they  will  pay  them.  Our  experience  is  only  the 
same  as  others.  The  Treasurer  of  the  Synod  of  the  U.  S.  has  had  to  invest  at 
the  same  rate  of  interest,  and  so  also  the  Finance  Committee  of  Franklin 
and  Marshall  College. 

About  $4,000  of  our  endowment  fund  bears  no  interest  and  is  practically 
worthless,  consisting  of  Classical  notes,  etc.,  which  by  tacit  consent  the  Synod 
of  the  U.  S.  has  never  authorized  us  to  push  to  collection,  if  indeed  they  are 
collectable. 

Another  source  of  unavoidable  expense  is  the  keeping  up  the  Professors' 
houses.  The  heating  apparatus  and  other  absolutely  necessary  repairs  this 
year  will  amount  to  over  $200  in  excess  of  our  regular  expenses  for  repairs. 
In  view  of  these  facts,  we  think  that  instead  of  adding  to  the  drafts  upon  our 
Treasurer,  it  may  be  necessary,  in  the  near  future,  for  Synod  to  furnish  us  aid, 
tiiat  we  may  be  able  to  meet  the  legitimate  and  unavoidable  expenses  incurred 
in  running  the  Institution.  Two  years  ago,  the  Synod  of  the  U.  S.  passed  an 
action  requesting  the  congregations  to  pay  to  our  Treasurer  the  proceeds  of  one 
collection  during  the  year.  The  total  receipts  from  this  source  were  $24.09. 
From  this  it  appears  that  nearly  every  Pastor  present  at  thatmeeting  of  Synod 
and  voting  for  this  action  went  home  to  his  charge  and  ignored  the  request  of 
Synod. 

We  call  the  attention  of  Synod  to  the  fact  that  the  Seminary  property  at 
Mercersburg,  Pa.,  leased  by  this  Synod  to  the  Regents  of  Mercersburg  College, 
has  been  advertised  for  sale  by  the  Sheriff  of  Franklin  county  during  the  cur- 
reui  year.  The  Regents  of  Mercersburg  College  have  mortgaged  the  lease,  and 
on  this  mortgage  judgment  has  been  obtained,  and  the  Sheriff  advertised  it  for 
sale.  We  consider  the  property  in  danger  so  long  as  this  mortgage  is  suffered 
to  remain.  It  is  for  the  Synods  to  determine  if  any  action  is  needed  to  pro- 
tect their  interests  in  this  property.  If  it  should  be  sold  under  this  mortgage, 
it  may  pass  out  of  the  control  of  our  Church. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

D.  W.  Gross,  President. 
Jno.  B.  Roth.  Treasurer. 
Edw.  J.  Za^m,  Bee.  Secretary. 

Lancaster,  Pa.,  Oct.  6th,  18S1. 


The  following  is  the  statement  of  the  Treasurer  referred  to  in  the 
above  report : 

II.  tkeasurer's  report. 
John  B.  Roth,  Treasurer  of  the  Theological,  Seminary,  in  aect.,  Dr. 
Endowment  Fund,  Oct.  1,  1881, 

Total  of  Fund $69,299  76 

Of  this  sum  $2,000  yields  no  interest.  

Dr. 
For  sundry  interests  received  from  Oct.  1,  1880,  to  Oct.  1,  1881  .    .    $4,946  99 

Ck. 
By   sundry  bills    and    salary   paid    per    vouchers    to 

Seminary  Board $6  382  66 

Amount  Dr.  brought  down 4,946  99 

Balance  due  Treasurer  Oct.  1,  1881 $1,435  67 


23 

Library  Fund. 
Amount  of  Fund ?2,0G9  96 

Oct,  1,  1881.     For  sundry  interest  received  to  date  and  in  hand  .    .  $245  42 

Cb. 

Oct.  1,1881.     By  sundry  bills  paid  to  date 115  54 

Balance  in  hands  of  Treasurer 129  88 

Snialtz  Fund. 
Amount  of  Fund ?5,000  00 

Dr. 
Oct.  1,  1881.     For  balance  in  hand  Oct.  1,  1880,  and  sundry  inte- 
rest received  to  dale ?333  39 

Cr. 

Oct.  1,  1881.     By  sundry  orders  paid  by  Treasurer 333  39 

Building  Fund. 

Oct.  1,  1880.     Amount  reported  to  Board 12,396  05 

March  24,  1881.     Note  paid 300  00 

Total  of  Fund  Oct.  1,  1881 §12,696  05 

Pittsburgh  Prof.  Fund, 

Oct.  1,1881,    Amount  of  Fund ?1,718  30 

Respectfully  submitted, 

JoHX  B.  Roth,  Treas. 
Lancaster,  Oct.  1,  1881. 

The  undersigned  Auditing  Committee   having  examined  the  Treasurer's 
accounts  and  compared  his  vouchers,  find  them  correct. 

Geo.  W.  Henpel, 
Lancaster,  Pa.,  Oct.  1,  1881.  Edw'd  J.  Zahm. 


IV,    REPORT   OP   COMMITTEE   ON    EDUCATION. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Education,  to  whom  the  foregoing 
Report  of  the  Board  of  Education,  and  Reports  of  the  Board  of 
Visitors,  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Lan- 
caster, Pa  ,  and  Treasurer,  had  been  referred,  reported  during  the 
session  of  Monday  evening.  Their  report  was  considered  item  by 
item,  adopted  as  a  whole,  and  is  as  follows : 

Your  Committee  on  Education  have  had  placed  in  their  hands  reports 
from  the  Board  of  Education,  the  Board  of  Visitors,  the  Board  of^Trustees  of 
the  Theological  Seminary,  with  their  Treasurer's  account,  and  a  letter  from 
the  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Northern  Illinois  Classis. 

In  the  Report  of  the  Board  of  Education,  the  fact  of  a  very  limited  number 
of  students  for  the  ministry,  at  this  time  under  the  care  of  the  Board,  is  urged 
upon  the  attention  of  Synod.  It  is  the  principal  consideration  of  the  report; 
and  wiiich  is  the  more  earnest  for  the  reason,  that  the  small  number  of  men 
from  dur  own  territory  is  but  the  showing  of  what  obtains  in  the  Church  at 
large.  The  cause  is  doubtless  a  local  and  definite  one;  but  it  is  the  more 
alarming,  as  the  Board  indicates,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  it  is  not  siniply  local 
— a  temporary  reaction  it  may  be  of  a  former  effort  in  this  direction,  or  some 
other  cause  peculiar  to  ourselves,  but  that  we  are  passing  under  a  more  for- 


24 

midable  and  subtle  power  of  the  evil  affecting  the  general  life  of  the  Church. 
The  Board  has  looked  into  the  matter  carefully,  as  gathered  from  the  Minutes 
of  the  General  Synod  and  the  several  District  Synods,  and  says,  that  there  is  a 
gradual  diminution  in  the  number  of  young  men  preparing  for  the  ministry. 

On  this  account  it  becomes  us  to  give  special  attention  to  this  particular 
part  of  our  work,  and  your  committee  proposes  that  the  following  resolution 
be  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  hereby  solemnly  counsels  its  Pastors  and  Elders 
to  keep  in  mind  this  important  part  of  their  work  of  selecting  and  bringing 
up  suitable  young  men  for  the  ministry ;  and  that,  as  a  necessary  part  of  this 
work,  they  continue  to  commend  and  urge  upon  our  people  the  cause  of  Bene- 
ficiary Education. 

The  Report  mentions  also  the  receipt  of  $300.00,  as  a  part  of  the  bequest  of 
Samuel  Bussard,  of  the  Friend's  Cove  congregation,  and  your  committee  pro- 
pose the  following  action  with  regard  to  it: 

Resolved,  That  this  act  of  testatory  benevolence  meets  the  cordial  approval 
of  the  Synod,  and  is  commended  as  a  good  example  of  Christian  love. 

The  Board  of  Visitors  of  the  Seminary  report,  that  it  is  satisfied  with  the 
work  done  during  the  past  year.  Eleven  students  were  graduated.  The 
whole  number  catalogued  for  the  past  year  is  thirty  one. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  of  tiie  Seminary  inform  us,  that  they  are  about 
$300.00  short  of  funds  to  meet  the  standing  obligations — such  as  professors' 
salaries,  coal,  light,  etc., —  and  that  there  will  be  for  the  year  ensuing  an  una- 
voidable expen.se  of  over  $-00.00  in  e.rce.ss,  for  regular  repairs  at  tlie  professors' 
houses.  They  say,  moreover,  that  some  of  their  investments  were  paid  them, 
and  could  be  reinvested  at  no  higlier  rate  of  interest  than  tive  per  cent. ;  that 
they  have  been  notified  by  holders  of  $13,000.00,  that  unless  they  may  hold 
their  loans  at  five  per  cent,  they  will  be  paid.  Your  committee  propose  the 
following  resolutions  for  adoption: 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  has  full  confidence  in  the  financial  and  moral 
ability  with  regard  to  the  Seminary  funds,  and  simply  asks  that  the  be.st  be 
done  that  can  be  done. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  assume  one-third  of  last  year's  deficiency,  that  is 
$100.00,  and  that  this  sum  be  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Finance,  for  ap- 
portionment among  the  Classes. 

From  this  same  Keport  we  learn,  that  the  necessary  expenditures  of  the 
Board  of  Visitors  have  not  been  paid.  Tiie  Board  of  Trustee.s,  for  want  of 
funds  for  one  reason,  refused  to  pay  these  expenses;  and  for  anotber,  they  do 
not  feel  themselves  autiiorized  to  pay  them,  excepting  they  be  directed  by  the 
several  Synods  conjointly  interested,  and  represented  in  the  Boards  of  Trustees 
and  Visitors.  Your  committee  thinks  that  tliese  expenses  ougbt  to  be 
provided  for  and  paid  promptly,  and  offers  for  adoption  the  following 
resolution : 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  concurs  with  the  .Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church 
in  the  United  States  in  directing  the  Treasurer  of  the  Theological  Seminary 
to  pay  the  order  of  the  President  of  the  Board  of  Visitors  for  neces.sary 
expenses,  and  that  this  Synod  will  meet  its  proper  portion,  when  informed  of 
the  amount  due. 

From  the  same  Report  we  are  also  informed  that  the  Seminary  property  at 
Mercersburg  is  in  danger,  on  account  of  a  mortgage  given  by  the  Board  of 
Regents  on  the  Lease  ;  on  which  mortgage  judgment  lias  been  obtained.  The 
Board  thinks  that  it  is  the  business  of  tlie  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Ciuirch  in 
the  United  States,  with  the  concurrence  of  the  other  two  Synods,  to  determine 
whether  any  action  is  needed  to  protect  the  interests  of  this  property.  Your 
committee  thought  proper  to  note  this  fact,  but  think*  that  no  action  in  this 
connection  is  necessary,  since  the  Synod  has  can^^assed  this  whole  subject 
already,  and  made  provision  against  the  troubles  referred  to.      But  your  com- 


25 

raittee  thinks  also,  that  the  Corresponding  Secretary  ought  to  be  directed  to 
inform  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  what  has  been  done. 

In  answer  to  tlie  request  of  the  Nortliern  lilinois  Classis,  bv  a  letter  from 
its  Corresponding  Secretary,  to  permit  an  agent  to  enter  tlie  territory  of  this 
Synod  for  fimds  for  the  founding  of  a  College  at  Foreston,  Ogle  county,  111.,  we 
ofler  the  following: 

Rexolv&l,  That  the  Synod  appreciates  the  earnest  mind  of  the  brethren  of  the 
Northern  Illinois  Classis  in  their  work  of  education,  but  at  this  time  is  unable 
to  extend  to  them  any  financial  help,  for  the  reason  mainly,  that  the  institu- 
tion of  learning  located  in  our  own  midst  is  at  this  time  in  need  of  relief  and 
a  very  special  effort  for  its  upbuilding. 

Resolved,  That  the  Corresponding  Secretary  be  and  is  hereby  dii-ected  to 
communicate  this  action  to  the  Corresponding  Secretary  of  that  ClasMS. 
Respectfully  submitted, 

Wm.  a.  Gring,  Chairman. 

MEECERSBURG    COLLEGE. 

The  Board  of  Regents  of  JNIercersburg  College  presented  their 
annual  report  to  the  Synod,  during  the  session  of  Friday  afternoon, 
which  was  received,  and  is  as  follows : 

REPORT   OF   THE   BOARD   OP   REGENTS   OF   MERCERSBURG  COLLEGE. 
To  the  Reverend  Synod  of  the  Potomac : 

The  Board  of  Regents  of  Mercersburg  College  begs  leave  to  present  to  the 
Synod  the  following  annual  report : — 

The  Board  was  reorganized  at  Woodstock,  Ya.,  during  the  meeting  of  the 
last  Synod,  by  tlie  election  of  Rev.  J.  S.  Kieffer,  as  Secretary,  E.  .1.  Bonbrake, 
Esq.,  of  Chamber.-burg,  Pa.,  as  Treasurer,  and  the  undersigned,  as  President. 
Several  meetings  of  the  Board  were  held  during  the  past  Synodical  year.  The 
past  year  was,  in  various  respects,  a  most  serious  and  trying  one  to  your 
Board. 

In  the  judgment  of  the  Board  it  became  absolutely  necessary  to  suspend  the 
educational  work  of  the  College  immediately  after  the  adjournment  of  the  last 
annual  meeting  of  the  Synod,  and  thereby  prevent  tlie  further  increase  of  its 
indebtedness,  inasmuch  as  the  institution,  as  then  in  operation,  was  running 
into  debt  at  the  rate  of  at  least  three  thousand  dollars  a  year. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Board  held  in  Chambersburg,  Pa.,  October  25th, 
1880,  it  was  deemed  proper,  in  accordance  with  the  advice  and  action  of  the 
last  Synod,  to  prepare  and  send  out  a  very  earnest  appeal  to  the  pastors  of 
the  Synod  to  make  collections  in  their  respective  pastoral  charges,  for  the 
immediate  relief  of  the  institution.  Such  appeal  was  regularly  issued  in 
the  early  part  of  last  November,  but — ''  Tell  it  not  in  Gath,  publish  it 
not  in  the  streets  of  Askelon  " — only  two  pastors  made  any  response  to  the 
appeal.  An<l  so  the  whole  amount  realized  by  this  project  very  little 
more  than  paid  the  expenses  incurred  in  issuing  the  appeal.  Under 
such  circumstances  the  Board  was  at  a  loss  to  know  what  to  do,  or  wiiat 
course  to  pursue.  Although  specially  empowered  by  the  action  of  the 
last  Synod,  to  employ  and  send  an  agent  into  the  pastoral  charges  of  the 
Synod  to  collect  funds  to  help  pay  the  liabilities  of  the  College,  it  was  not 
thought  wortii  wiiile  by  your  Board  to  resort  to  tliat  expedient,  after  witness- 
ing the  humiliating  response  made  to  the  appeal  tliat  h  id  been  issued.  Nor 
was  any  one  to  be  found  suitable  and  willing  to  go  forth  as  agent  on  such  a 
mission. 

The  only  course  left  was  to  try  to  do  tJie  best  we  could  in  the  case,  and 
attempt  to  buffet  the  approaching  storm,  which  was  sure  to  come.     Accord- 


26 

ingly  such  personal  effects  were  sold  to  the  creditors  as  could  be  disposed  of, 
amounting  to  between  five  and  six  hundred  dollars.  Some  transfer  of  notes 
and  accounts,  as  well  as  some  collections  were  made,  so  that  perhaps  as  much  as 
fifteen  hundred  dollars  of  the  indebtedness  has  been  met  in  this  way  and  can- 
celled during  the  past  Synodical-year.  Between  fifty  and  one  hundred  dollars 
also  have  been  expended  in  making  absolutely  necessary  repairs  to  the  several 
buildings.  The  amount  of  indebtedness  thus  cancelled  and  money  expended  on 
repairs  cannot  be  accurately  given  by  your  Board  at  present,  as  our  Treasurer 
is  now  absent  from  home,  on  a  western  trip,  and  liis  books  are  not  accessible. 
But  we  feel  perfectly  safe  in  saying  to  the  Synod,  tliat,  after  allowing  for  the 
accumulating  of  interest  and  meeting  the  expenditures  of  repairs  made  to  the 
property,  there  has  been  an  actual  decrease  of  indebtedness  to  the  full  amount 
of  at  least  eight  hundred  dollars,  during  the  past  year. 

Last  spring,  the  holder  of  what  was  then  known  as  the  King  or  Hager 
Mortgage  had  said  mortgage  foreclosed,  and  the  entire  projjerty  was  adver- 
tised to  be  sold  at  sherifl's  sale  by  the  sheriff  of  this  county,  on  the  22d  of  last 
April.  Prominent  members  of  the  Synod  were  appealed  to  by  the  officers  of 
the  Board  in  reference  to  contributing  funds,  in  the  shape  of  shares  of  one 
hundred  dollars,  or  multiples  thereof,  and  thus  meet  the  mortgage  by  payment 
and  transfer  thereof  to  those  paying  the  money,  and  so  save  the  property  of 
the  Church,  first  erected  for  educational  purposes  by  our  Reformed  Zion,  from 
being  sold  under  the  hammer  of  the  sheriff  No  favorable  responses  were 
made,  we  are  sorry  to  say,  except  in  a  single  instance,  by  one  of  our  esteemed 
laymen,  who  is  known  for  his  liberality.  The  friends  of  the  institution,  in  our 
own  Church  and  outside  thereof,  in  Mercersburg  and  Chambersburg,  went  to 
work,  as  a  last  resort,  raised  the  money  in  shares  of  one  hundred  dollars,  or 
multiples  thereof,  paid  the  then  holder  of  the  mortgage  his  claim,  had  it 
regularly  transferred  to  themselves,  and  so  saved  the  College  from  the  im- 
pending calamity  of  the  threatened  sheriff's  sale,  on  the  very  morning  of  the 
day  appointed  for  the  sale  to  take  |)lace.  And  thus  by  transfer  the  mortgage 
has  passed  into  possession  of  certain  citizens  of  Mercersburg  and  Chambers- 
burg, and  is  held  by  them  mainly. 

Your  Board  is  happy  in  being  able  to  announce  to  the  Synod  that  the 
College  has  recently  been  re-opened  under  the  superintendence  and  manage- 
ment of  Eev.  G.  W.  Augbinbaugh,  D.  D.,  as-j,  male  and  female  institution  of 
learning,  such  as  it  was  for  some  time  after  its  organization  in  1865.  Dr. 
Aughinbaugh  is  assisted  in  his  work  by  an  efficient  lady  teacher,  besides  his 
wife,  who  has  cliarge  of  the  department  of  music.  The  number  of  pupils  is 
eighteen  or  twenty,  with  fair  prospects  of  further  accessions  to  the  roll  of  stu- 
dents. As  now  conducted,  tlie  College  is  carried  forward  without  any  financial 
expense  to  the  Board  of  Regents,  or  to  the  Gliurch.  If  the  Synod  will  only 
manfully  rally  around  the  institution,  and  furnish  a  largely  increased  number 
of  students,  male  and  female,  this  will  not  only  continue  to  be  the  case,  but 
the  school  will  soon  begin  to  afford  revenue  to  help  pay  off,  from  year  to  year, 
the  unfortunate  indebtedness  of  Mercersburg  College. 

In  conclusion,  the  attention  of  the  Synod  is  called  to  the  fact  that  it  will  be 
necessary  to  fill  by  election  the  places  of  Revs.  J.  S.  Kieffer,  D  M.  Whitmore, 
and  Wm.  M.  Deatrick,  members  of  the  Board,  whose  term  of  office  expires 
with  the  present  meeting  of  Synod,  and  also  the  vacancy  in  the  Board  occa- 
sioned by  the  resignation  of  Dr.  M.  A  Berry,  last  July,  which  was  temporarily 
filled  by  the  Board  in  the  appointment  of  Rev.  C.  Cort. 
Respectfully  submitted  by  order  of  the  Board. 

Wm.  M.  Deateick,  President. 

The  consideration  of  the  report  was  made  the  order  of  the  day 
for  Saturday  morning's  session,  at  10  o'clock.  At  the  appointed 
hour,  the  Synod  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole,  with 


27 

Rev.  J.  M.  Titzcl  in  the  chair.  The  remainder  of  the  session,  and 
also  a  part  cf  the  afternoon  session,  were  devoted  in  this  way  to  the 
interests  of  the  College.  After  rising,  the  Committee  of  the  Whole, 
through  its  Chairman,  reported  to  the  Synod  for  adoption  the  fol- 
lowing resolutions,  which  were  accordingly  adopted,  to  wit : 

1.  Resolved,  That,  if  possible,  the  property  at  Mercersburg  shall  be  saved  to 
the  Reformed  Church,  for  educational  purposes. 

2.  Resolved,  Tiiat  the  Board  of  Regents  be  recommended  to  make  the  best 
possible  terms  witii  the  creditors  of  Mercersburg  College,  and  fund  the  debt  at 
a  rate  of  interest  not  exceeding  live  per  cent. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  Synod  guarantees  the  payment  annually  of  three  hun- 
dred dollars  for  the  term  of  live  years,  to  help  meet  the  interest  on  the 
funded  debt. 

4.  Resolved,  That  the  Synod  is  gratified  to  learn,  that  Mercersburg  College 
has  been  re-oponed  under  the  efficient  and  encouraging  management  of  the 
Rev.  G.  W.  Aughinbaugh,  D.  D.,  and  the  Synod  heartily  commends  the 
institution  to  the  confidence  and  patronage  of  our  peo2)le. 


Col.  George  B.  Wiestling  tendered  to  the  Synod  his  resignation 
as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Regents  of  Mercersburg  College,  which 
was  accepted,  and  the  Committee  on  Nominations  was  instructed  to 
make  the  necessary  nominations  to  fill  the  vacancy. 


At  the  election  for  members  of  the  different  Boards  of  Synod, 
held  during  the  session  of  Monday  evening,  Revs.  I.  G.  Brown,  W. 
C.  Cremer,  and  S.  S.  Miller  were  elected  members  of  the  Board  of 
Education  for  the  term  of  three  years.  At  the  same  time,  Revs. 
Wm.  M.  Deatrick,  Wm.  Goodrich,  and  Wm.  I.Stewart  were  chosen 
as  members  of  the  Board  of  Regents  of  Mercersburg  College  for  the 
term  of  three  years,  and  Elder  I.  H.  Keefer  and  Rev.  J.  Hassler 
for  the  term  of  two  years. 

The  following  individuals  constitute  the  Board  of  Education,  and 
the  Board  of  Regents  of  Mercersburg  College,  severally,  at  the 
present  time,  to  wit : 

MEMBERS  OF  THE  BOARD   OF   EDUCATION   AND   TERMS   OF   SERVICE. 

Rev.  I.  G.  Brown  ......   3  years October,  1884. 

'         '  1884. 

1884. 
1883. 
1883. 
1883. 
1882. 
1882. 
1882. 


W.  C.  Cremer 3 

"    S.  S.  ISIiller 3  " 

"    "VVm.  M.  Deatrick    ...  2  " 

"    J.  S.  Kietler 2  " 

"    J.  W.  Santee 2  " 

"    W.  Goodrich 1  year 

"    A.  J.  Heller 1  " 

Elder  J.  Ileyscr 1  " 


28 

MEMBERS    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    REGENTS    AND    TERMS    OF    SERVICE. 

Eev.  Wm.  M.  Deatrick  ....  3  years October,  1884. 

"     Wm.  Goodrich 3      •'       "        1884. 

"    Wm.  I.  Stewart 3      ''       "        1884. 

"    A.  .J.  Heller 2      "       "        1883. 

Elder  I.  PI.  Keefer 2      "       "        1883. 

Rev.  J.  Hassler 2      "      "        1883. 

Elder  A.  R.  Sclmebly    ....  1    year "        1882. 

"      Louis  Markell 1      "       "        1882. 

E.  J.  Bonbrake,  Esq 1      "       "        1882. 


ARTICLE  XIV. 
MISSIONS. 

The  Annual  Reports  of  the  Tri-Synodic  Board,  of  the  Superin- 
tendent, and  of  the  Treasurer  of  the  Tri-Synodic  Board  of  Missions 
were  laid  before  the  Synod  and  read,  and  then  referred  to  the  Stand- 
ing Committee  on  Missions.  This  Committee  reported,  during  the 
session  of  Monday  afternoon,  and  their  report  was  ordered  to  be 
taken  up  item  by  item  for  adoption,  was  adopted  as  a  whole,  and 
will  be  found  subjoined  in  its  proper  place.  These  several  reports 
are  as  follows : 

I.    REPORT   OF   THE   TRI-SYNODIC    BOARD   OF   MISSIONS. 
To  the  Synnd  of  the  Potomac  : 

Eev.  Fathers  and  Brethren:  We  herewith  transmit  to  your  reverend 
body  the  annual  reports  ol'  the  Superintendent  and  Treasurer  of  the  Tri- 
Synodic  Board  of  Missions  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States. 

It  is  the  duty  of  the  several  Synods  represented  in  the  Board,  at  their 
present  annual  meetings,  to  elect  a  person  to  fill  the  office  of  Superintendent, 
for  the  coming  four  years.  Your  Board,  as  it  is  made  its  duty  to  do,  nominates 
candidates  for  said  office,  presenting  the  names  of  Revs,  Dr.  Theodore  Appel 
and  Henry  Mosser. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

J.  O.  Miller,  Preddent. 
W.  H.  H.  Snyder,  Secretary. 

II,      REPORT      OF     THE     SUPERINTENDENT      OF     THE     TRI-SYNODIC 
BOARD    OF    MISSIONS. 

To  the  United  States,  Pittsburgh  and  Potomac  Synods  : 

Respected  Brethren: — The  Superintendent  of  Missions  hereby  re- 
spectfully presents  this  his  Fourth  Annual  Report  of  the  condition  and 
progress  of  the  missions  under  the  care  of  the  Board  during  the  past 
year. 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

Grace  Reformed  Church,  Easton. — Under  the  care  of  the  Board  five 
years.  Members,  8o.  S.  S.  scholars,  loo.  Baptisms,  lo.  Additions, 
5.  Benevolence,  $30.  Local  objects,  over  $600.  Cost  of  property, 
$3,000.  Indebtedness,  about  $1,200.  Reduction  of  debt  during  the 
year,  $300.  Attendance,  better  than  in  former  years.  The  condition  of 
the  mission  steadily  improving.  In  a  great  measure  dependent  for  its 
increase  on  members  removing  from  the  country  to  the  town.  Appro- 
priation fixed  by  the  Classis — not  reported  to  the  Board.  Pastor,  D,  Y. 
Heisler. 


29 

Sa/cms  Reformed  Church,  Catasatiqua. — About  seven  years  under  the 
care  of  the  Board.  Members,  140.  S.  S.  scholars,  150.  Baptisms,  19. 
Additions,  16.  Losses,  5.  Benevolence,  $43.53.  Local  objects, 
$1,094.66.  Cost  of  property,  $3,100.  Its  value  much  greater.  Its  pre- 
sent indebtedness  is  $1,600.  Reduction  during  the  year,  $1,500.  There 
is  a  decided  improvement  in  the  condition  of  this  mission,  as  compared 
with  that  of  previous  years.  Its  indebtedness  is  still  in  its  way,  also  the 
financial  disrepute  into  which  it  had  fallen  during  previous  years.  It  is, 
however,  overcoming  both  of  these  difficulties,  and  its  financial  status 
in  the  community  has  improved.  Appropriation  fixed  by  Classis.  Pas- 
tor, J.  J.  Crist. 

Christ's  Mission,  East  Allentoivn. — This  mission  was  served  during 
part  of  the  past  year  by  Rev.  J.  Fritzinger.  After  his  withdrawal,  the 
Rev.  W.  J.  Kershner  became  its  pastor.  The  Classis  of  Lehigh  declined 
extending  to  it  any  further  assistance,  and  it  is,  therefore,  no  longer  un- 
der the  care  of  the  Board.  With  the  help  which  it  expects  to  receive 
from  members  of  the  Reformed  church  in  other  congregations  in  the 
city,  it  is  believed  that  it  will  hereafter  be  able  to  sustain  itself. 

St.  yoJins,  Reading. — Members,  390.  Baptisms,  71.  Additions,  65. 
S.  S.  scholars,  400.  Cost  of  church  property,  $22,000.  Reduction  of 
indebtedness  during  the  past  year,  $500.  The  financial  condition  of  the 
mission  is  improving  ;  and  if  it  were  not  for  its  indebtedness,  the  mission 
would  be  self-supporting.  The  pastor  has  been  serving  the  Birdsboro 
mission  during  the  year,  which  at  present  is  building  a  new  church  for 
its  use.  If  this  congregation  can  be  connected  with  one  or  more  neigh- 
boring congregations,  it  will  constitute  a  self-supporting  charge,  and 
pastor  Steinmetz  will  be  relieved  of  a  part  of  his  arduous  labors.  He 
can  then  devote  more  time  and  attention  to  his  congregation  in  Reading. 
Appropriation  last  year,  $  ;oo.    This  year,  $200.     Pastor,  J.  W.  Steinmetz. 

St.  Johns,  West  Philadelphia. — For  several  years  past  this  mission 
has  been  suftering  from  financial  difficulties.  Its  income  was  not  suffi- 
r.icnt  to  meet  its  expenditures.  The  actual  amount  of  indebtedness  over 
a  year  ago  was  diminished,  as  said  in  last  year's  report,  but  this  was  ac- 
complished by  the  sale  of  one  of  its  houses,  and  was  not,  therefore,  in 
itself,  a  financial  gain.  The  indebtedness  had  been  accumulating  for 
several  years  before.  The  pastor.  Rev.  J.  S.  Vandersloot,  having  been 
invited  to  take  charge  of  a  mission  in  another  part  of  the  city,  conclu- 
ded to  withdraw  from  his  post,  so  that  the  way  might  be  opened  to  place 
the  mission  upon  a  better  financial  basis.  The  mission,  accordingly, 
has  been  vacant  for  several  months,  but  it  has  been  regularly  supplied 
by  the  Superintendent  and  others.  The  way  is  now  open  for  the  loca- 
tion of  another  pastor  over  it ;  and  so  soon  as  that  is  brought  about,  the 
Board  has  good  hopes  that,  under  new  auspices,  it  will  take  a  new  de- 
parture, and  overcome  the  difficulties  which  have  stood  thus  far  in  the 
way  of  its  progress.     Appropriation  last  year,  $300.     Vacant. 

Grace  Church,  Philadelphia. — This  mission  grew  out  of  a  mission 
Sunday-school,  which  had  been  kept  up  by  the  members  of  the  Re- 
formed church  for  a  number  of  years  previously,  at  the  corner  of  5th 
and  Dauphin  streets,  in  the  northern  part  of  the  city.  Last  spring  it 
made  an  application  to  the  Board  to  be  recognized  as  a  mission,  and  to 
be  supplied  with  a  missionary  pastor.  It  was  signed  by  over  fifty  per- 
sons. A  congregation  of  some  twenty  persons  was  organized  by  the 
Classis  of  Philadelphia,  and  the  Rev.  J.  S.  Vandersloot  was  commis- 
sioned by  the  Board  to  take  charge  of  it  as  missionary.     It  is  believed 


30 

that  the  number  of  members  will  be  largely  increased  during  the  course 
of  the  year.  The  Sunday-school,  numbering  over  one  hundred  schol- 
ars, had  been  carried  forward  with  energy,  during  previous  years,  and 
it  is  now  in  a  flourishing  condition.  A  lot  of  ground  has  been  selected 
for  a  new  church  or  chapel,  and  it  is  proposed  to  build  on  it  during  the 
course  of  the  year.  The  mission  is  promising.  It  is  located  in  a  part 
of  the  city  where  missionary  labor  is  needed,  and  where  is  much  mate- 
rial belonging  to  the  Reformed  church  which,  with  the  divine  blessing, 
may  be  gathered  into  a  flourishing  church.  Appropriation,  $500.  Pas- 
tor, J.  S.  Vandersloot. 

Second  Church,  Harrisbu7-g. — Members,  109.  Baptisms,  16.  Addi- 
tions, 16.  S.  S.  scholars,  273.  Benevolence,  ^80.  For  local  objects, 
$689.  No  debt.  The  Missionary  Society,  composed  mainly  of  S.  S. 
scholars,  contributed  one-fourth  of  the  amount  devoted  to  benevolence. 
This  congregation  has  been  receiving  missionary  help  since  its  organi- 
zation, a  little  over  seventeen  years  ago.  During  the  period  it  has  been 
tmder  the  charge  of  the  present  pastor — eight  years — it  has  been  making 
encouraging  additions  from  year  to  year,  in  all,  147  ;  but  its  losses,  by 
removals  or  death,  have  been  also  large,  so  that  its  growth  in  numbers 
has  been  impeded  by  circumstances  which  were  beyond  its  control. 
The  Classis  of  Lancaster  is  at  present  making  an  effort  to  connect  it 
with  a  congregation  in  the  country,  by  which  it  is  thought  the  charge 
will  be  nearly  or  quite  self-sustaining.  Appropriation  last  year,  $250, 
This  year,  the  same.     Pastor,  G.  W.  Snyder. 

Zwingli  Church,  Harrisburg. — This  mission  has  been  supplied  for 
two  years  by  the  Rev.  John  G.  Fritchey,  during  which  time  he  has  re- 
duced the  indebtedness  from  $2,000  to  $1,100,  and  re-established  its  fi- 
nancial reputation.  Confidence  has  been  restored,  and  the  members 
are  united  and  willing  to  work  together  for  the  future  prosperity  of  the 
church.  Mr.  Fritchey,  in  view  of  his  advancing  age,  is  anxious  to  with- 
draw from  the  mis  ion,  and  the  way  seem'S  now  to  be  prepared  to  secure 
some  one  to  succeed  him.  It  is  thought  that  before  long  the  Board  will 
be  able  to  obtain  a  competent  person  to  take  charge  of  it.  Members, 
66.  Baptisms,  6.  Additions,  6,  all  heads  of  families.  S.  S.  scholars, 
40.  Benevolence,  $3.  Local  objects,  $268.  Value  of  property,  esti- 
mated at  $10,000.     Appropriation,  $100.     Pastor,  Rev.  J.  G.  Fritchey. 

Columbia. — Members,  165.  Losses,  16  by  removal ;  10  by  death.  Addi- 
tions, 19.  Baptisms,  18.  S.  S.  scholars,  185.  Benevolence,  $93.  For 
local  objects,  $960.  Value  of  church  property,  $7,000  ;  of  parsonage, 
$3,000.  The  congregation,  under  difficulties,  is  making  progress.  For 
a  number  of  years  past  it  has  had  a  troublesome  debt  to  contend  with, 
amounting,  during  the  year,  to  $1,625.  -^  ^^^  weeks  ago,  an  effort  was 
made  to  pay  it  off.  Over  $1,200  was  secured  for  this  purpose,  and  in  a 
few  weeks  more  it  is  expected  that  the  balance  will  be  provided  for. 
Appropriation  last  year,  $125.  This  year,  the  same.  Pastor,  C.  S. 
Gerhart. 

Wilkes- Barre. — The  present  missionary  has  had  charge  of  this  mis- 
sion now  nearly  four  years.  Number  of  members  at  Wilkes-Barre,  312. 
At  Nanticoke,  120.  In  all,  432.  Gain,  112,  and  losses,  37,  leaving  a 
net  increase  of  75.     S.  S.  scholars,  225.     Baptisms,  64.     Benevolence, 

$54.     Local  objects,   $ .     Cost  of  property,  $13,000.      Indebtedness 

last  year,  $3,650.  This  year,  $1,600.  At  Nanticoke  the  congregation  is 
making  an  effort  to  erect  a  church,  for  which  $800  have  thus  far  been 
secured.     An  eligible  piece  of  ground  was  donated  for  this  purpose  by 


31 

the  Susquehanna  Coal  Company.  The  mission  at  Plymouth,  referred 
to  in  last  year's  report  as  growing  out  of  the  mission  at  Wilkes-Barre, 
ha'*  been  doing  well  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  S.  C.  Meckel,  and  now 
receives  an  appropriation  from  the  Classis  of  East  Susquehanna.  It 
has  42  members,  and  expects  to  erect  a  new  church  for  its  u-e  by  the 
coming  spring.  Missionary  work  in  the  Wyoming  Valley  thus  far  has 
made  an  encouraging  degree  of  progress,  and  promises  well  for  the 
spread  of  the  church  in  that  section  of  the  country.  Appropriation  last 
year,  #300  ;  this  year,  $2^25.     Pastor,  F.  K.  Levan. 

Lock  Haven. — Member.-",  140.  Two  congregations.  Additions,  11. 
Bapti  ms,  5.  S.  S.  scholars,  90.  Benevolence,  $30,  Debt,  ^729.  Re- 
duction during  the  year,  $81.  Cost  of  church,  $2,200,  but  worth  much 
more  now.  In  need  of  repairs.  The  church  building  of  the  country 
congregation  is  of  little  value,  and  must  soon  be  replaced  by  a  new  one. 
The  attendance  upon  the  means  of  grace  is  good,  and  the  mission  is 
growing  both  internally  and  externally.  When  the  present  pastor  took 
charge  of  it  in  1879,  ^^  ^^"^^  much  distracted,  and  its  prospects  gloomy. 
Since  then  it  has  rallied,  and  its  condition  is  again  promising  for  the 
future.  Support  of  the  pastor  inadequate.  Appropriation  last  year, 
^300.     This  year,  the  same.     Pastor,  I.  S.  Stahr. 

East  Liberty  and  VVilkinshurg. — The  congregation  at  East  Liberty  has 
been  making  progress  during  the  year.  The  membership  was  increased 
one-third  since  last  January.  The  indebtedness,  $1,600,  was  reduced 
to  $750.     Street  assessment  of  nearly  S^ioo  per  year  is  a  burden  on  the 

congregation,  likely  to  continue  for  several  years  to  come. Wilkins- 

burg  is  also  doing  well,  but  it  has  a  heavy  debt  to  carry,  and  its  effect  on 
the  congregation  is  depressing.  Members  in  both  congregations,  100 
Baptisms,  5.  Additions,  23.  S.  S.  scholars,  130.  For  benevolence, 
$29.  For  local  objects,  $920.  Value  of  property,  about  $6,000.  Ap- 
propriation last  year,  $525.  This  year,  the  same.  Pastor,  J.  W.  Knap- 
penberger. 

Orbiso7tia,  Huntingdon  Co. — Three  congregations.  Under  the  Board 
five  years.  Members,  115.  Baptisms,  18.  Additions,  8.  S.  S.  schol- 
ars, 90.  'Value  of  property,  $1,500.  Benevolence,  $65.  Local  objects, 
$730.  Indebtedness,  $70.  Reduction  of  debt  during  the  year,  $130. 
The  attendance  on  worship,  good.  Some  growth  during  the  year.  The 
support  inadequate,  making  it  necessary  for  the  pastor  to  teach  during 
a  part  of  his  time.  The  pastor,  Rev.  J  M.  Schick,  after  laboring  success- 
fully in  this  charge  for  five  years,  recently  withdrew.  Appropriation, 
$112.     Vacant. 

i>ulphur  Spring,  Bedford  Co. — Congregations,  3.  Members,  169 
Baptisms,  24.  Additions,  9.  Sunday-schools,  2,  union.  Benevolence, 
$62.  Local  objects,  $503.  The  mission  was  established  in  1873.  It  has 
built  a  new  church  at  Mann's  Choice  worth  $1,800,  and  a  parsonage 
worth  $1,600.  These  two  buildings  were  paid  for  gradually  from  year  to 
year  ;  the  remaining  indebtedness  was  paid  off  during  the  year.  It  has 
been  making  progress,  internally  and  externally,  and  its  prospects  for 
the  future  are  good.  The  pastor,  W.  A.  Gring,  was  recently  called  to 
another  charge,  and  he  left  with  the  kind  wishes  of  his  people.  Appro- 
priation last  year,  $200. 

Duncattnojt. — There  are  three  congregations  comprising  this  mission. 
The  congregation  at  Marysville  has  improved  its  church  building,  and 
paid,  in  all,  $300  for  local  purposes,  which  amounted  to  $10,  on  an  ave- 
rage, for  each  member.     The  Missionary,  Rev.  U.  H.  Heilman,  having 


32 

received  a  call  from  another  charge  in  the  church,  there  is  a  probability 
that  he  will  accept  of  it  and  withdraw  from  the  mission.  The  congre- 
gation at  Duncannon  is  making  a  slow  but  encouraging  progress.  No 
statistics  given.     Appropriation  last  year,  #225. 

First  CJiurch,  Al/e^heny  City. — This  mission  has  been  vacant  during 
the  past  year.  It  was  thought  best  by  the  Board  of  Missions  of  the  Pitts- 
burgh Synod  that  the  arrangement  made  last  year  for  its  supply  should 
be  discontinued,  and  our  missionary  interests  in  Allegheny  City  were  re- 
ferred to  a  committee  of  Classis.  Nothing,  as  far  as  we  know,  has  been 
done  to  revive  the  mission  during  the  year,  and  the  prospects  are  that 
it  will  lie  dormant  for  the  time  being.  We  need  very  much  a  church 
organization  in  Allegheny  City,  and  it  is  believed  that  the  time  will  still 
come  when,  under  more  favorable  circumstances,  we  again  will  be  able 
to  occupy  this  field. 

Shcjiandoah  City. — No  reports  have  been  received  from  this  mission 
during  the  year.  It  has  hitherto  stood  under  the  supervision  of  the 
missionary  department  of  the  Ursinus  Union.  Appropriation  last  year, 
}«3oo ;  this  year,  the  same.     Pastor,  J.  G.  Neff. 

St.  yo/in's  Church,  Johnstoiun. — Under  the  care  of  the  Board  two 
years.  Members,  61.  Baptisms,  15.  Additions,  12.  Losses,  2.  For 
benevolence,  $43.  For  local  objects,  about  ;^i,5oo.  The  new  church 
was  dedicated  in  November  last,  and  since  then  all  the  remaining  in- 
debtedness— several  hundred  dollars — has  been  cancelled.  Its  cost  was 
l3,ooo.  This  mission,  during  the  short  time  it  has  been  aided  by  the 
Board,  has  made  a  commendable  degree  of  progress.  Its  beginnings 
were  humble,  and  by  no  means  encouraging  to  feeble  sight.  It  has  been 
largely,  thu'.  far,  the  work  of  faith,  hope  and  charity.  It  received  liberal 
aid  from  the  citizens  of  Johnstown  in  the  building  of  the  church.  Ap- 
propriation last  year,  $500  ;  this  year,  the  same.     Paster,  W.  H.  Bates. 

St.  Luke  s,  LiDic  aster.— 'iAaw^iQXS,  ^\.  Baptisms,  21.  Additions,  18. 
S.  S.  scholars,  215.  Whole  number  enrolled  during  the  year,  260.  For 
benevolence,  $21.90.  For  local  objects,  $531.15.  Value  of  property, 
$2,800.  No  indebtedness  on  property.  The  Sunday-school  has  largely 
increased  during  the  year,  and  i- compo  ed  mostly  of  the  children  of 
the  poor.  Its  weekly  contributions — $60 — were  nearly  sufficient  to  pay 
its  expenses.  Contributions  to  pastor's  salary,  about  $50.  The  balance 
of  the  expenses  were  met  by  the  contributions  of  friends  of  the  mission 
and  proceeds  of  concerts  and  festivals.  The  Harbaugh  Missionary  So- 
ciety'was  started  during  the  year,  ana  holds  regular  monthly  meetnigs, 
which  are  well  attended.  This  mission  is  doing  a  good  work  among  the 
poor  in  the  suburbs  of  the  city,  and  has  been  enjoying  manifest  tokens 
of  the  divuie  favor  since  its  organization,  about  three  years  ago.  Ap- 
propriation last  year,  1:300  ;  this  year,  the  same.     Pastor,  W.  F.  Lichliter. 

Overton,  Bradford  Co. — The  prosperous  condition  of  this  mis  ion,  as 
presented  m  our  last  annual  report,  was  interrupted  by  the  withdrawal 
of  its  pastor,  who  accepted  a  call  to  another  charge,  with  the  approba- 
tion of  Classis.  Several  effort.s  have  been  made  to  secure  a  successor, 
but  thus  far  without  success.  The  opportunities  for  building  up  churches 
in  this  field  are  favorable,  and  it  is  hoped  that  a  suitable  person  will  be 
secured  before  long,  who  will  come  and  carry  forward  the  good  work 
on  the  foundation  which  has  been  laid.  Appropriation  last  year,  $150. 
Vacant. 

Latrobe. — Two  congregations.  Members,  123.  Additions,  at  Latrobe, 
25.     Baptisms,  10.     S.  S.  scholars,  65.     Benevolence,  #50.     For  local 


33 

purposes,  5600,  Cost  of  property,  $7,200.  Indebtedness,  $1,850.  Re- 
duction of  indebtedness,  $92.60.  The  mission  seems  to  be  looking  up, 
and,  if  its  progresn  is  slow,  it  is  steady.  The  present  pastor  took  charge 
of  it  during  the  year.  He  commenced  preaching  in  Ligonier  valley, 
where  he  organized  a  congregation  of  25  members,  which  he  has  con- 
tinued to  serve.  Appropriation  la-t  year,  $200;  this  year,  the  same. 
J'astor,  S.  H.  Eisenberg. 

Trinity  Mission,  York  Co.  —This  mission  has  disappointed  the  expec- 
tations of  the  Board  and  its  friends.  For  a  year  or  more  it  has  made 
little  or  no  progress  It  ha-",  in  fact,  declined,  and  the  Board  has  with- 
drawn its  commis-ion  from  the  missionary.  It  will,  therefore,  devolve 
on  the  Classis  to  devi-e  measures  by  which  its  wants  shall  be  provided 
for. 

Sharon,  Mrrccr  Co.  —No  reports.  Statistics  as  reported  in  the  minutes 
of  General  Synod.  Members,  1S5  ;  baptisms,  11;  additions,  12;  S.  S. 
scholars,  69  ;  benevolent  objects,  !$I5  ;  local  objects,  S1800.  The  mis- 
sion is  still  vacant,  but  supplied  by  Rev.  F.  P.  Hartmctz.  Appropria- 
tion $100. 

New  Castle,  Lawrence  Co. — Organized  as  a  mission  in  January,  1880. 
Members, 44.  Baptisms,  9.  Unconfirmed  members,  27.  Additions, 9. 
Worships  in  a  rented  hall.  An  effort  is  now  in  progress  to  build  a  house 
of  worship,  which  is  much  needed.  The  amount  raised  in  subscriptions 
and  cash  up  to  this  time  is  a  fraction  over  $2,000.  It  is  proposed  to  go 
forward  in  the  erection  of  the  new  church  yet  this  fall.  It  is  to  cost 
about  $2,500,  exclusive  of  the  lot.  Much  of  the  time  of  the  missionary 
has  been  occupied  in  securing  subscriptions  for  the  church  in  the  town, 
and  in  congregations  at  a  distance ;  but  its  spiritual  interests  have  not 
materially  suffered.  It  is  not  likely  that  it  will  make  considerable  pro- 
gress until  it  is  furnished  with  necessary  church  accommodations.  Its 
prospects  are  encouraging.  Appropriation  last  year,  $450;  this  year, 
the  same.     Pastor,  J.  M.  Souder. 

Marietta. — The  congregation  at  Marietta,  organized  several  years  ago, 
was  for  some  time  a  mission  under  the  care  of  the  Classis  of  Lancaster, 
and  wa  assisted  by  a  number  of  its  congregations.  But  the  help  thus 
obtained  was  not  sufficient  to  support  its  pastor,  and  it  appealed  to  the 
Board  for  a  small  appropriation,  which  wa<  granted.  The  Classis  con- 
nected it  with  the  Maytown  congregation,  and  so  strengthened  the  charge. 
The  mission  is  growing,  and  with  some  help  in  time  of  need,  it  has  good 
prospects  of  becoming  self-supporting  at  no  distant  day.  The  mission- 
ary. Rev.  S.  P.  Brown,  withdrew  from  the  field  last  winter,  and  he  was 
succeeded  by  the  Rev.  G.  B.  Resser  in  the  spring.    Appropriation,  $100. 

Tionesta  and  Dubois. —  Both  of  these  points  have  been  recognized  as 
missions,  and  appropriations  made  for  their  support,  but  thus  far  they 
have  been  without  missionary  pastors. 

VIRGINIA. 

Winchester. — Although  this  mission  was  without  a  pastor  for  a  time, 
it  did  not  suffer  any  serious  loss.  Its  members  held  together,  ancl 
waited  m  faith  and  prayer  for  some  one  who  should  break  unto  them 
the  bread  of  life.  By  the  appointment  of  tlie  Board,  the  Rev.  A.  R, 
Kremer  took  charge  of  it  last  spring.  His  labors  thus  far  have  had  the 
effect  to  encourage  the  brethren  and  to  inspire  hope  that  his  labors 
among  them  will  be  blessed.  A  reduction  of  $50  has  been  made  in  tlie 
church  debt.  $500  still  remains  to  be  paid.  It  will  be  gradually  re- 
duced by  the  efforts  of  the  Mite  Society,  which  maintains  itself  in  the 

3 


34 

congregation  with  commendable  zeal.  No  statistics  have  been  furnished 
to  us.  Appropriation  last  year,  $250.  This  year,  the  same.  Pastor, 
A.  R.  Kremer. 

Mint  Spring,  Trinity  Alissioji,  AiigJista  Co. — The  new  church  at 
Mint  Spring  was  finished  last  fall  and  a  day  appointed  for  its  dedication, 
but  when  the  time  came  for  this  solemn  act  it  was  decided  that  it  should 
be  postponed  until  the  debt  incurred  should  be  in  some  way  provided 
for.  The  new  church,  therefore,  has  not  yet  been  dedicated,  as  there 
is  still  a  debt  of  $128  resting  on  it.  A  Sunday  school  has  been  gathered 
together,  and  services  have  been  held  in  the  church  every  two  weeks, 
which  are  well  attended.  As  the  Middlebrook  charge  has  been  strength- 
ened by  a  new  church  and  a  new  congregation  in  the  town  of  Middle- 
brook,  it  is  now  proposed  to  reconstruct  it  and  unite  one  of  its  congrega- 
tions with  Trinity  Mission,  so  as  to  strengthen  it  and  put  it  in  the  way  of 
becoming  self-sustaining.  The  Board  has  agreed  to  this  arrangement, 
and,  with  the  help  of  the  Virginia  Classis,  proposes  to  make  a  small  ap- 
propriation to  each  of  the  new  charges,  so  soon  as  the  new  arrange- 
ment can  be  carried  out.  In  a  few  years  it  is  believed  that  there  will 
be  two  respectable  charges,  where  five  years  ago  we  had  only  one,  and 
that  without  standing  or  influence.  Appropriation  last  year,  $150. 
Pastor,  A.  J.  Whitmore. 

DELAWARE. 

St.  John's,  Wyoming,  Kent  Couttty. — In  the  early  part  of  the  year  this 
charge  became  vacant  by  the  resignation  of  the  pastor.  Rev.  E.  H. 
Dieffenbacher.  A  successor,  however,  was  secured  soon  afterwards,  so 
that  it  was  not  long  vacant.  Members,  95  ;  Baptisms,  6  ;  Additions,  5  ; 
Sunday-school  scholars,  75  ;  cost  of  property,  $2,000.  No  indebtedness. 
Benevolence,  $23.30.  Local  objects,  $394.23.  The  failure  in  some  of 
the  crops  has  been  a  loss  to  the  mission,  but  being  rooted  and  grounded 
in  the  truth,  it  is  making  progress,  and  its  prospects  are  encouraging. 
Organized  as  a  mission  in  1870.  Appropriation  last  year,  $250.  This 
year,  $150.     Pastor,  N.  J.  Miller. 

MARYLAND. 

Ciiniberlmid. — This  mission  has  been  under  the  care  of  the  Board 
since  1867.  It  had  been  a  mission  many  years  previously.  The  pre- 
sent pastor  has  had  charge  of  it  now  for  seven  years.  Its  growth  has 
been  gradual  and  its  prospects  are  good.  Members,  156;  unconfirmed 
members,  112;  Baptisms,  15;  Additions,  20;  Sunday-school  scholars, 
no;  value  of  property,  $5,500,  of  cemetery,  $1,000.  Indebtedness  on 
both  $2,000.  Amount  of  indebtedness  paid  off  since  1867,  $4,300; 
Benevolence,  $50;  Local  objects,  $750.  Attendance  good.  Appropri- 
ation last  year,  $200.     This  year,  the  same.     Pastor,  F.  R.  Schwedes. 

Ridgely,  Caroline  Co. — This  mission  at  present  consists  of  three  con- 
gregations, the  first  at  Ridgely,  the  second  in  Queen  Ann  Co.,  and  the 
third  near  Easton,  in  Talbot  Co.  Members,  73;  Sunday-school  scholars, 
35  ;  Baptisms,  14  ;  Additions,  9.  The  new  church  at  Ridgely  is  under 
roof  but  not  yet  finished,  for  the  want  of  funds.  The  new  church  in 
Talbot  county  was  dedicated  a  short  time  ago.  It  is  a  union  church 
and  cost  between  $400  and  $500.  Provision  was  made  at  the  dedica- 
tion to  pay  off  all  remaining  indebtedness  by  the  different  denominations 
represented  in  it,  four  in  number.  The  congregation  in  Kent  county, 
which  is  small,  has  not  as  yet  any  church.  It  worships  in  private 
houses,  and,  in  the  summer  time,  in  a  grove.     It  has  met  with  losses  by 


35 

deaths  and  removals,  which  have  prevented  it  from  securing  for  itself 
a  building  of  its  own.  The  missionary  has  not  been  adequately  sup- 
ported, as  the  mission  at  Ridgely  did  not  raise  the  amount  of  salary 
which  was  expected.  The  loss,  however,  was  partially  made  up  by 
missionary  boxes  and  private  contributions  from  friends  of  missions  in 
Pennsylvania.  He  will  need  similar  help  during  the  coming  winter. 
Appropriation  last  year,  $325  ;  this  year,  the  same.  Pastor,  Joseph  Han- 
nabery. 

East  Baltimore. — The  attention  of  the  Board  has  been  directed  by  the 
Classis  of  Maryland  to  the  eastern  portion  of  the  city  of  Baltimore  as  a 
suitable  place  for  the  establishment  of  a  new  mission.  Arrangements 
are  at  present  being  made  to  put  up  a  chapel  for  the  use  of  a  mission 
Sunday-school  and  for  preaching.  One  of  the  resident  ministers  of  our 
church  has  consented  to  take  charge  of  this  interest  for  the  present 
without  any  compensation. 

NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Concord,  Cabarrus  Co. — At  the  recommendation  of  the  Missionary 
Committee  of  the  Classis  of  North  Carolina,  the  Rev  J.  D.  Gurley  was 
commissioned  to  labor  as  missionary  at  Concord,  about  one  year  ago. 
We  had  some  valuable  members  in  the  town,  who  came  forward  and 
were  organized  into  a  congregation.  Services  have  been  held  regular- 
ly in  a  hall  fitted  up  for  the  purpose  every  Sunday,  and  a  fair  beginning 
has  been  made.  Mr.  Gurley  taught  school  for  a  while  in  order  to 
minister  to  his  support,  but  other  schools  having  sprung  up  in  the  town 
this  resort  has  failed  him  for  the  present.  An  effort  was  made  at  the 
Classis  to  connect  some  country  congregations  with  the  mission,  but  it 
was  deemed  premature  at  the  time.  This,  however,  may  yet  be  ac- 
complished. Mr.  Gurley  has  accepted  of  invitations  to  preach  in  nearly 
all  the  charges  of  the  Classis,  where  his  services  were  well  received  and 
highly  appreciated  In  this  way,  as  also  by  visiting  missionary  points 
in  the  bounds  of  the  Classis,  it  is  believed  that  his  usefulness  will  be 
much  increased  from  year  to  year.  Appropriation,  $250.  Pastor,  J.  D. 
Gurley. 

Lificolnton. — A  good  while  ago,  there  was  a  flourishing  Refoirned  con- 
gregation at  Lincolnton,  but  owing  to  different  causes  it  was  suffered  to 
decline,  and  nearly  all  of  its  members  connected  themselves  with  other 
denominations.  For  a  number  of  years  no  Reformed  minister  preached 
in  the  place.  A  few  members — only  a  few — remained  true  to  the  church 
of  their  fathers,  and  it  was  thought  best  to  supply  these  with  preaching, 
and  to  make  an  effort  to  revive  the  congregation,  if  possible.  The 
Rev.  J.  A.  Foil,  who  had  been  preaching  occasionally  in  the  town,  was 
commissioned  during  the  year  by  the  Board  to  take  charge  of  this  in- 
terest, with  a  small  appropriation.  He  has  been  preaching  at  this  point 
once  in  four  weeks,  and  has  had  good  audiences.  It,  however,  needs 
more  attention  than  Mr.  Foil  can  give  it  in  connection  with  his  other 
engagements.  It  may  possibly  be  connected  with  other  points  within 
the  bounds  of  Classis  hereafter,  where  preaching  is  called  for,  and  a 
new  missionary  field  be  formed,  in  which  good  results  might  be  expected. 
A  small  class  of  catechumens  has  been  formed  at  Lincolnton.  Appropria- 
tion, $50.     Pastor,  J.  A.  Foil. 

Moffitf  s  Grove. — This  congregation  came  under  the  care  of  the  Board 
during  the  past  year.  The  members  were  poor,  and  the  Rev.  J.  W. 
Cecil  had  served  it  for  several  years  with  little  or  no  compensation.  It 
has  no  church  of  its  own,  but  has  been  worshipping  in  a  school  house. 


36 

conveniently  adapted  to  its  purposes.  Under  these  circumstances  it 
was  constituted  a  mission,  and  the  Board  made  a  small  appropriation 
for  the  support  of  its  pastor.  Mr.  Cecil  has  recently  withdrawn  from 
the  field,  and  it  will  devolve  on  the  Classis  to  provide  for  its  spiritual 
wants,  either  by  connecting  it  with  some  other  charge  or  by  temporary 
supplies  through  its  missionary  committee.  Members,  41  ;  Baptisms,. 
2  ;  Additions  i  ;  Appropriation,  $50.     Vacant. 

DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 

Washingto7i. — During  the  past  year  the  attention  of  this  mission  has 
been  mainly  occupied  in  securing  for  itself  a  suitable  house  of  worship. 
The  members  were  first  called  on  for  their  subscriptions,  and  they  all 
gave  liberafly  for  their  circumstances.  The  pastor,  the  Rev.  C.  F.  Son- 
tag,  then  spent  several  months  in  visiting  the  churches,  and  succeeded 
in  raising  the  amount  of  subscriptions  to  a  little  over  ^2,000,  when  steps 
were  taken  by  the  committee  of  Maryland  Classis  to  go  forward  with  the 
erection  of  a  new  church.  The  contract  was  awarded  to  good  and  re- 
sponsible persons.  It  is  in  good  taste,  in  the  style  of  Queen  Ann,  and 
the  cost  will  be  $4,100.  The  building  is  now  in  the  process  of  erection. 
It  is  expected  to  be  paid  for  by  the  subscriptions  already  received  and 
some  that  are  still  to  be  secured,  which  will  be  supplemented  by  the 
proceeds  of  the  assessments  made  on  the  Classes,  after  all  the  payments 
on  the  ground  are  made.  There  are  still  two  payments  to  be  made  on 
the  ground — one  this  fall  and  the  other  next  spring — of  $607  each. 
After  the  building  is  finished,  and  the  congregation  has  the  conve- 
niences of  a  church  of  its  own,  the  mission  will  be  placed  on  a  perma- 
nent foundation,  and  with  the  divine  blessing  will  succeed.  The  labors 
of  the  pastor  have  been  interrupted  during  the  year,  partly  by  sickness 
and  partly  by  necessary  absence  from  home.  Fifteen  persons  have 
been  added  to  the  church,  five  baptized  and  two  buried.  The  Sunday- 
school  is  yet  small.  Appropriation,  3600 ;  this  year,  the  same.  Pastor, 
C.  F.  Sontag. 

NEW   YORK. 

Netv  Y^k. — Our  Board  has  continued  to  assist  the  Board  of  the 
Eastern  Carman  Synod,  in  the  support  of  this  mission.  The  members 
composing  it  had  felt  it  to  be  their  duty  to  withdraw  from  an  indepen- 
dent congregation,  in  which  they  had  been  accustomed  to  worship,  and 
organize  themselves  into  a  congregation,  under  Pastor  Fox,  as  mission- 
ary. During  the  past  year  a  reconciliation  was  effected  between  the  two 
divisions,  and  a  new  organization  accomplished,  distinctively  Reformed, 
in  connection  with  the  German  Synod,  under  the  pastorship  of  Mr. 
Fox.  The  re-union  was  cordial,  and  the  event  was  celebrated  by  a 
special  service  in  the  church  last  spring.  The  mission  has  a  church 
of  its  own  on  9th  Avenue  near  50th  Street,  well  located  to  exert  a  good 
influence  on  a  large  class  of  foreign  Germans  in  the  city.  Appropria- 
tion, $300.     Pastor,  F.  Fox. 

KANSAS. 

St.  PaiiPs  Reformed  Church,  Emporia. — Under  the  care  of  the  Board 
two  years — members,  25;  unconfirmed  members,  25;  baptisms,  6; 
additions,  6  ;  losses,  II  ;  cost  of  property,  $3000 ;  Indebtedness,  $600; 
for  benevolence,  $5  ;  for  local  objects,  in  addition  to  what  was  paid  for 
the  erection  of  the  church,  $175.  The  new  church  was  dedicated  last 
November,  amidst  general  rejoicing  in  the  Mission,  and  among  its  friends 
on  the  outside.     The  event  helped  to  inspire  confidence  and  to  place 


37 

the  Mission  on  a  more  permanent  basis.  Since  June  last,  the  pastor 
has  been  supplying  a  mission  at  Holton,  in  Jackson  County,  which  had 
lost  its  pastor,  and  was  suffering  seriously.  Under  his  care  it  has  re- 
vived somewhat,  and  a  catechetical  class  has  been  formed.  He  also 
preached  at  Whiting,  twelve  miles  distant  from  Holton,  and  has  been 
preparing  the  way  for  organizations  at  Valley  Falls  and  Harensville, 
with  the  view  of  connecting  these  points  with  Holton,  and  so  form  a 
pastoral  charge.  He  further  visited  lola,  in  Kansas,  and  Raymore  in 
Missouri,  near  the  State  line,  baptized  the  children,  and  sought  to  pre- 
pare the  way  for  the  labors  of  a  missionary  in  the  future.  His  attention 
was  directed  to  other  pomts,  but  his  time  would  not  allow  him  to 
visit  them.  The  missionary  labors  under  the  disadvantage  of  not 
owning  a  conveyance,  and  is  without  the  means  of  hiring  one 
when  needed  to  enable  him  to  visit  various  points  in  the  neigh- 
borhood. After  these  openings  for  the  establishment  of  new  mis- 
sions were  reported  the  Board  deemed  it  necessary  to  send  an- 
other missionary  to  Kansas,  and  accordingly,  commissioned  the  Rev.  L. 
M.  Hensell,  of  Virginia,  at  his  own  request,  to  proceed  to  Kansas,  and 
to  co-operate  with  Mr.  Shoemaker  in  cultivating  the  field,  which  seemed 
to  be  whitening  for  the  harvest.  Mr.  Hensell,  when  last  heard  from, 
was  at  Tola,  examining  the  ground  with  the  view  of  locating  himself  and 
commencing  his  missionary  work.  Mr.  Shoemaker  found  that  his  sup- 
part  was  inadequate,  and  it  was  to  some  extent  supplemented  by  mis- 
sionary boxes  and  gifts  of  money  last  winter  from  the  friends  of  mis- 
sions in  the  East.  Similar  help  will  be  needed  to  sustain  both  of  our 
missionaries  in  Kansas,  and  the  one  in  Nebraska,  during  the  coming 
winter^  Unless  something  of  this  kind  is  done,  we  fear  that  they  will 
be  driven  from  the  field.  As  the  Board  has  commenced  missionary 
operations  in  these  two  States,  it  will  be  necessary  for  the  Church  to 
sustain  the  missionaries  in  their  self-denying  work,  or  else  all  that  we 
have  been  doing  thus  far  will  come  to  nought.  Appropriation  to  Mr. 
Shoemaker,  $300.  For  travelling  expenses,  $100.  Appropriation  to 
Mr.  Hensell,  $300. 

NEBRASKA.  m 

Aurora. — Last  spring  the  Rev.  Edmond  Erb  was  commissioned  as 
missionary, to  Nebraska  at  his  own  request  He  was  to  some  extent 
acquainted  with  the  field,  and  felt  himself  strongly  moved  to  give  up  his- 
charge  in  Ohio,  in  order  that  he  might  supply  the  membership  of  the 
church  in  Nebraska,  scattered  about  as  sheep  without  a  shepherd,  with 
the  means  of  grace,  and  gather  them  together  into  congregations.  The 
Board  were  pleased  to  accept  of  his  offer  to  labor  in  the  waste  places  of 
our  Zion  in  the  Far  West.  He  has  now  been  several  months  in  the  field, 
and  most  of  his  time  has  been  occupied  in  making  explorations.  He 
reports  that  he  finds  members  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  many  places, 
some  of  whom  have  left  the  church  of  their  fathers,  whilst  many  were 
still  waiting  for  a  minister  of  their  own  faith  to  preach  to  them  the  gos- 
pel. He  has  located  himself  at  Aurora,  and  made  it  the  centre  of  his 
missionary  operations.  He  preaches  at  present  in  the  court-house  in  the 
town,  and  at  several  school-houses  in  the  country,  where  he  expects 
soon  to  organize  congregations.  His  work  commends  itself  to  the 
sympathy  and  prayers  of  the  church.  Appropriation  $300.  Pastor, 
Edmond  Erb. 

CALIFORNIA. 

Salem's  Church,  Napa. — The  spiritual  interests  of  this  mission  suf- 
ered  much  from  the  want  of  a  pastor  during  the  previous  year.     When 


38 

the  present  missionary  took  charge  of  it,  about  one  year  ago,  very  few 
members  seemed  to  be  left — apparently  only  two.  He  has,  however, 
succeeded  in  gathering  together  the  scattered  sheep,  and  the  condi- 
tion of  the  mission  has  improved  under  his  care.  Members,  67. 
Baptisms,  8.  Gathered  in,  65.  Benevolence,  $13.  Local  objects,  $330. 
Cost  of  property,  $4,000.  Indebtedness,  $500.  Reduction  of  indebtedness 
during  the  year,  $50.  Under  the  care  of  the  Board  eight  years.  Indif- 
ference to  the  claims  of  missions,  on  the  part  of  many  of  the  foreign 
Germans,  presents  many  difficulties  in  the  way  of  the  mission,  but  faith- 
ful labor  among  them  is  sure  to  bear  good  fruit.  The  field  is  large,  and 
more  laborers  are  needed  to  assist  in  cultivating  it  as  it  should  be. 
Appropriation,  $300.     Pastor,  E.  DeGeller. 

Alameda. — The  Rev.  Charles  Hartman,  of  Indiana,  having  expressed 
a  desire  to  labor  among  the  foreign  Germans  in  California,  was  com- 
missioned as  missionary  to  Alameda  last  spring.  He  took  charge  of 
the  mission  that  had  been  served  for  a  time  by  one  who  turned  out  to 
be  unworthy  of  his  office.  He  found  many  of  His  countrymen  who 
needed  the  gospel,  but  manifested  little  or  no  interest  in  having  it 
preached  to  them.  They  had,  in  some  degree,  lost  confidence  in  min- 
isters, as  well  as  in  Christianity  itself.  This  made  the  beginning  of  his 
work  somewhat  inauspicious,  but  he  has  not  become  discouraged.  He 
preaches  at  present  in  a  rented  hall,  and  has  succeeded  in  gathering 
the  children  together  into  a  Sunday-school,  which  is  growing,  and  pro- 
mises well  for  the  future.  The  beginning  seems  to  be  feeble,  and  the 
work  arduous  ;  but  we  have  the  assurance  that  brother  Hartman's  labors 
for  the  souls  of  men  will  not  be  in  vain  in  the  end.  He  is  well  qualified 
for  the  work  which  he  has  undertaken,  and  is  much  needed  to  assist  the 
brethren  already  in  the  field  in  planting  the  pure  Christian  faith  in  the 
place  of  Satan's  synagogue.     Appropriation,  $400.     Pastor,  C.  Hartman. 

OREGON. 

Portland. — Membership,  172;  no  at  Portland,  13  at  Sandy,  organized 
into  a  congregation  during  the  year.  50  at  German  Creek  and  the 
Dalles,  aiso  lately  organized.  Two  Sunday-schools,  with  ninety  scholars. 
Something  over  ^1,000  were  raised  for  congregational  purposes,  such 
as  salary,  sexton,  fuel,  and  the  debt  of  ^365  mentioned  in  last  year's 
report.  $70  were  raised  in  the  congregation  for  the  completion  of  a  new 
church  in  Rev.  Lange's  charge.  The  missionary  has  spent  much  time 
in  exploring  the  country  and  in  organizing  new  churches,  and  it  has 
become  necessary  to  send  other  laborers  into  the  field  to  assist  him  in 
his  work.  Accordingly  two  new  missionaries  were  commissioned  by  the 
Board  at  its  late  meeting,  to  labor  in  Oregon,  in  fields  to  be  assigned  to 
them  by  the  Classis  of  Portland.  They  came  from  the  Pilger-Mission 
of  St.  Chrischona,  at  Basel,  Switzerland,  and  are  highly  recommended 
for  the  work  by  Inspector  Rappard.  Their  names  are  A.  Kreuter  and 
F.  Ewald.  Pastor  Gantenbein  says  that,  in  addition  to  the  points  which 
he  has  been  trying  to  hold  until  relief  should  come,  there  are  yet  a 
dozen  prominent  cities  and  German  settlements  of  great  promise  to  our 
church  on  the  north  Pacific  coast,  as  yet  untouched  by  us,  which  we 
should  take  possession  of  soon,  before  it  is  too  late.  Appropriation, 
last  year,  $250.     Pastor,  John  Gantenbein. 

Salem. — The  annual  report  of  this  mission  has  failed  to  reach  us,  and 
so  we  cannot  give  statistics.  The  missionary  serves  two  small  congre- 
gations of  Germans,  one  at  Salem,  the  capital  of  the  State,  which  is  still 


•  39 

without  a  church,  and  the  other  at  Waldo  Hills,  which  completed  its 
church  during  the  year  for  something  over  $500.  He  preaches  at  other 
points,  in  school-houses  and  private  houses.  Latterly  he  has  been 
preaching  regularly  at  Mehannah,  a  summer  resort,  which  in  the  course 
of  time  might  be  made  the  centre  of  a  new  missionary  field.  He  con- 
tinues to  explore  the  country,  to  visit  from  house  to  house,  and  to  en- 
courage his  fellow-countrymen  to  wait  in  faith  until  Providence  sends 
them  a  shepherd  to  gather  them  into  the  folds  of  their  own  church. 
Appropriation,  last  year,  $250;  this  year,  ;j2oo.  Pastor,  Jacob  Muell- 
haupt. 

Ca?iby,  Clackamas  Co. — Under  the  Board  2^(  years.  Congregations,  3. 
Members,  70.  Additions,  47.  Gain,  43.  Baptisms,  5.  S.  S.  scholars,  39. 
Local  objects,  $400.  During  the  past  year  the  pastor.  Rev.  Julius  Lange, 
organized  two  new  congregations,  one  at  Oregon  City,  and  the  other  at 
New  Era,  seven  miles  distant.  The  first,  the  St.  Peter's  Church,  owns 
three  acres  of  land,  on  which  there  is  a  parsonage,  which  serves  at 
present  as  a  house  of  worship.  The  second,  the  St.  John's  Church,  has 
taken  measures  to  put  up  a  new  church  for  its  use.  An  eligible  piece 
of  ground  has  been  donated  for  the  purpose,  and  subscriptions  in  money, 
labor  and  material  secured.  As  the  people  are  mostly  beginners,  and 
still  poor,  the  Board,  in  accordance  with  the  request  of  the  Portland 
Classis,  has  contributed  $50  to  encourage  and  assist  in  this  movement. 
The  small  church  erected  by  the  congregation  at  Meridian,  referred  to 
in  last  year's  report,  has  been  finished,  and  is  now  paid  for.  It  is  worth 
$650  at  present,  and  in  a  short  time  it  will  be  worth  considerably  more. 
Brother  Lange,  owing  to  fewness  of  laborers  in  the  field,  has  preached 
at  various  other  points  within  the  bounds  of  the  Classis.  His  health, 
which  had  somewhat  suffered  in  consequence  of  his  arduous  labors,  has, 
we  are  glad  to  report,  been  restored  to  him.  Appropriation,  last  year, 
|200 ;  this  year  the  same.     Pastor,  Julius  Lange. 

WASHINGTON   TERRITORY. 

Walla  Walla. — This  mission  was  supplied  for  some  time  by  Rev. 
George  Maechtersheimer.  During  the  past  year,  by  the  advice  of  his 
Classis,  he  was  induced  to  transfer  his  labors  to  another  place  in  the 
Territory.  The  field  is  still  vacant,  and,  as  it  is  an  important  one, 
efforts  will  be  made  to  supply  it  with  a  suitable  missionary,  it  is  hoped, 
at  an  early  day.     Appropriation  last  year,  $200,     Vacant. 

Seattle,  Puget  Sound. — By  the  advice  of  the  Portland  Classis,  Mr. 
Maechtersheimer  was  commissioned  to  labor  as  missionary  at  this  point. 
He  was  well  received  by  his  fellow-countrymen,  and  his  prospects  of 
success  in  this  field  are  encouraging.  Appropriation,  $200.  Pastor, 
George  Maechtersheimer, 

Ursinus  Union. — The  Rev.  F.  W.  Kremer,  D.  D.,  Treasurer  of  the 
Church  and  Committee  of  the  Ursinus  Union,  reports  that  since  the  last 
annual  meeting  of  Syiiod  he  has  received  for  missionary  purposes, 
$760.49.  Three  hundred  dollars  of  this  amount  has  passed  through  the 
hands  of  our  Treasurer  for  the  support  of  a  mission  under  the  care  of 
the  Board.  The  balance  has  been  paid  into  the  Treasuries  of  other 
missionary  boards  of  the  church. 

SUMMARY. 

Number  of  missions 45 

Members  in  the  missions 4.159 

Baptisms  during  the  year 470 


40 

Additions  during  the  3'ear 588 

Sunday-school  scholars 3,406 

Amount  collected  for  benevolence $932 

"  "  local  objects $18,929 

Cost  of  property $164,000 

Indebtedness $27,450 

FINANCIAL    STATEMENT. 

From  the  treasurer's  report  it  will  appear  that  the  income  of  the  Board 
during  the  year,  from  all  sources,  was  $12,220.85.  '^o  this,  however, 
must  be  added  over  $1,000,  received  by  the  treasurer  for  the  Washing- 
ton Chapel,  not  included  in  the  income  as  given  above.  The  amount 
then  would  be  $13,294.  Last  year  the  income  was  $15,403,  which  was 
larger  than  usual,  because  many  of  the  contributions  came  in  the  form 
of  thank-offerings  for  the  return  of  peace  and  reconciliation  in  the 
church — supposed  to  be  $5,000.  The  difterence  between  the  receipts  of 
the  two  years  is  less  than  was  anticipated,  and  the  income  during  the 
past  year  was  larger  than  during  any  previous  ordinary  year.  There 
was  due  our  missionaries  in  salary,  on  the  first  of  October,  14,000,  with 
a  balance  in  the  treasury  of  $1,240. 

The  follov/ing  statement  of  the  income  of  the  Board  for  missions  in 
former  years — since  i860 — may  be  interesting  and  instructive  at  the 
present  time : 

Income  from  i860  to  1865 — five  years $28,538 

"  "       1865  to  1869,  from  the  whole  church,   all 

the    Synodic 42,487 

"            "       1869  to  1873,  from  all  the  Synods 19,616 

"  "       1873  to  1877,  from  three  Synods,  on  the 

tri-Synodic  plan 36,315 

"           "      1877  to  188 1, on  the  tri-Synodic  plan  cont'd  46,019 

For  the  coming  year  the  Board  will  need  $15,000  at  least — more  if 
possible — in  order  to  meet  current  expenses  ;  for  which  we  suggest  that 
the  three  Synods  interested  be  requested  to  adopt  measures  to  raise  the 
following  amounts  : 

The  Synod  of  the  United  States $8,500 

The  Synod  of  the  Potomac 3750 

The  Synod  of  Pittsburgh 2,750 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 

That  the  Synods  request  each  congregation  within  their  bounds,  to 
take  up  one  collection  during  the  year,  for  the  purpose  of  creating  a 
Church  Building  Fund,  to  assist  missions  to  erect  churches,  either  in 
the  way  of  a  loan  or  a  donation. 

That  the  Synods  request  all  the  ministers  and  pastoral  charges  to  be 
more  careful  hereafter,  that  the  assessments  made  for  missions  be  more 
fully  met. 

That  missionary  festivals  be  held  in  each  Classis,  and  in  the  different 
congregations  ;  that  missionary  societies  be  organized  and  encouraged 
in  each  congregation  or  Sunday  School ;  that  missionary  intelligence  be 
diffused  in  all  our  churches,  and  our  people  be  urged  to  give  more  liber- 
ally, so  that  our  missionaries  may  be  more  promptly  paid  and  encour- 
aged in  their  work. 


41 

A    RETROSPECT. 

As  the  period  for  which  the  Superintendent  of  Missions  was  appoint- 
ed by  the  three  Synods,  conjointly,  comes  to  a  close  during  the  present 
year,  it  is  proper  at  this  time  to  make  a  brief  review  of  our  missionary 
work  during  the  period  of  time  he  has  been  in  office.  It  is  a  matter  ot 
encouragement  to  the  Church  that  the  cause  of  missions  has  been  pros- 
pered, and  that  it  has  not  been  without  manifest  tokens  of  the  divine 
favor. 

Most  of  the  missions  reported  four  years  ago,  are  still  under  the  care 
of   the   Board.      Only  a   few    of  them   have   become   self-sustaining. 
Others,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  are  approaching  to  the  point  when 
they   will    be    able    to    provide  for  themselves.      The  most  marked 
feature  of  our  missionary  work  during  that  period  of  time  is  found  in  its 
enlargement  or  expansion.     Following,  what  were  deemed  clear  indica- 
tions of  Divine   Providence,  the  Board  established  a  number  of  new 
and  interesting  missions.     The  mission  at  Johnstown,  from  an  humble 
and  inauspicious  beginning,  has  grown  up  and  is  making  cheering  pro- 
gress, having  secured  for  itself  a  church   of  its   own,  not  encumbered 
with  any  remaining  debt.     Other  missions  have  been  established  within 
the  bounds  of  the  Pittsburgh  Synod — at  Latrobe,  New  Castle,  and  more 
recently  at  other  points,  which,  however,  have  not  as  yet,  been  supplied 
with  missionary  pastors.     St.  Luke's  mission,  at  Lancaster,  Pa.,  which 
grew  out  of  a  Mission  Sunday-School,  was  commenced  in  1879,  ^'^'^  ^'^•^^ 
been  successful  in  erecting  for  itself  a  new  Church,  with  no  large  amount 
of  indebtedness  resting  on  it.     The   present  missionary  at  Emporia, 
Kansas,  was  commissioned  in  the  year  1879.     ^^  organized  the  flock, 
which  had  been  gathered  together  by  his  predecessor,  into  a  congrega- 
tion, and  has  been  successful  in  putting  up  a  neat  church  for  its  use, 
whilst  he  has  explored  different  parts  of  the  State,  and  visited  various 
places  where  members  of  the  Reformed  Church  have  settled.    Quite  re- 
cently the  Board  has  sent  out  another  missionary  to  co-operate  with  him  in 
building  up  the  waste  places  of  our  Zion  in  that  State.     Last  spring  a  mis- 
sionary was  commissioned  to  the  neighboring  State  of  Nebraska,  where 
he  finds  many  members  of  our  church,  among  whom  he  proposes  to 
build  up  missionary  churches.     The  Mission  in  San  Francisco  became 
self-supporting  some  three  years  ago,  and  it  soon  became  necessary  for 
the  Board  to  commission  another  laborer  to  assist  in  carrying  forward 
the  work  of  missions  among  the  Foreign  Germans  in  San   Francisco 
and  suburbs.     Four  years  ago  we  had  only  two  missionaries  in  Oregon 
and  Washington  territory  ;  now  we  have  four,  and  we  will  have  six,  as 
soon  as  two,  from  the  Missionary  Institute  of  St.  Chrischona,  Basel,  now 
in  this  county,  shall  have  reached  their  field  of  labor.     The  first  mis- 
sion in  Oregon  was  started  about  six  years  ago  at  Portland      It  is  now 
nearly  or  quite  self-supporting — a  source  of  encouragement  and  hope 
to  other  mis^ons  growing  up  around  it.     The  increase  of  laborers  on 
the  Pacific  Coast  led  to  the  formation   of  two  Classes  instead  of  one. 
The  Mission  of  Middlebrook,  Va.,  has  become  self-supporting,  and  a 
new  one  established  in  the  neighborhood.     In  North  Carolina,  three 
new  missions  have  commenced  within  the  past  year,  which  it  is  hoped 
will  assist  in  reviving  and  strengthening  our  Church  in  the  South. 

But  whilst  we  have  endeavored  to  provide  for  the  spiritual  wants  o 
our  people  in  the  West  and  the  South,  and  in  smaller  towns  and  villages 
in  the  P2ast,  we  have  not  overlooked  the  destitution  of  our  larger  cities. 
Over  one  year  ago  we  undertook  to  assist  the  eastern  German  I3oard  in 


42 

sustaining  a  German  mission  in  the  city  of  New  York ;  have  lately- 
commenced  a  promising  English  mission  in  Philadelphia,  and  are  just 
about  adopting  measures  to  establish  one  in  the  city  of  Baltimore.  It  is 
only  the  want  of  means  that  has  prevented  us  from  having  an  English 
mission  in  the  city  of  Boston,  and  extending  our  work  among  the  foreign 
Germans  in  New  England.  The  mission  in  Washington,  D.  C.,  is  now  in 
its  fourth  year,  and  has  encouraging  prospects  of  permanence  and  suc- 
cess. All  this  shows,  that,  limited  as  our  resources  are,  we  can,  with 
prudence  and  care,  extend  our  work  also  into  our  large  cities,  and  build 
up  churches  for  our  people,  who  are  continually  flowing  into  them  from 
the  country. 

As  system  and  order  are  necessary  in  carrying  forward  the  work  of  mis- 
sions— just  as  much  as  in  any  other  enterprise — it  has  been  a  primary 
object  with  the  Board  to  encourage  and  foster  missionary  societies  in  our 
congregations  and  Sunday-schools.  During  the  last  four  years  many  of 
these  have  sprung  up  in  all  directions,  and  have  proved  themselves  to 
be  a  blessing  to  the  churches,  as  well  as  perennial  sources  of  increase  to  our 
missionary  treasury.  To  supply  these  societies  with  missionary  intelli- 
gence, as  well  as  to  awaken  still  more  the  missionary  spirit  among  our  peo- 
ple, a  monthly  missionary  paper  has  been  published  under  the  direction  of 
the  Board,  which,  if  properly  encouraged,  cannot  fail,  as  we  believe,  to  be- 
come one  of  the  most  potent  agents  in  advancing  our  missionary  interests. 

From  this  brief  review,  as  well  as  from  what  has  appeared  in  our  re- 
ports from  year  to  year,  it  will  appear  that  the  cause  of  missions  is  ad- 
vancing— making  some  progress  among  us.  As  a  consequence,  our  peo- 
ple are  becoming  more  interested  in  this  department  of  benevolence,  and 
their  liberality  is  improving.  During  the  last  four  years  the  entire  amount 
raised  for  missions,  as  reported  regularly  through  our  treasurer  was  in 
round  numbers  $46,000.  The  amount  actually  contributed,  but  not  so 
reported,  was  considerable.  It  would  be  difficult  to  give  the  precise 
amount.  During  the  previous  four  years  the  amount  reported  was  $36,- 
000,  showing  an  increase  of  $10,000  during  the  second  term  of  what  has 
come  to  be  known  as  the  Tri-Synodic  Plan. 

But  whilst  these  lacts  go  to  show  that  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
East  has  made  a  good  beginning  in  its  missionary  enterprises,  it  should, 
however,  be  remembered  that  it  is  only  a  beginning.  Our  increasing 
liberality  has  fallen  far  short  of  the  providential  openings,  which  God 
is  making  to  us,  and  most  manifestly  inviting  us  to  enter  and  cultivate. 
As  a  denomination  we  have  the  means — and  we  hope  the  heart  also — 
of  doing  much  more  for  our  Divine  Lord,  who  has  done  so  much  for  us. 
We  have,  in  fact,  great  reason  to  humble  ourselves  in  the  dust  and  to 
hide  our  faces  in  shame  when  we  call  to  mind  what  we  might  do,  and 
listen  to  the  urgent  calls  that  are  made  upon  us  for  help  in  the  many 
waste  places  of  our  country.  It  is  a  cause  in  which  we  can  no  longer 
stand  still  or  be  indifferent,  without  being  guilty  of  the  commission  of  a 
great  sin,  and  of  the  perpetration  of  a  great  wrong  upon  tl*ose  who  call 
to  us  for  help  in  their  time  of  need.  It  is  becoming  more  and  more  a 
matter  that  should  cause  ministers  and  members  to  fear  and  tremble, 
lest  God  should  withdraw  altogether  the  light  of  His  countenance.  Upon 
us,  therefore,  ministers  of  the  gospel,  the  shepherds  of  the  flocks,  com- 
mitted to  our  care,  more  especially,  lies  a  solemn  responsibility  to  cry 
aloud  and  spare  not,  until  our  Reformed  Zion  awakes  from  her  slumbers, 
and  puts  on  her  strength  and  her  beautiful  garments. 
Respectfully  submitted, 

THEODORE  APPEL, 

Superintejident  of  Afissions. 

Lancaster,  Pa.,  Oct.  4,  1881. 


43 

III.     REPORT    OF    THE    TREASURER    OF    THE    TRI-SYNODIC    BOARD 

OF    MISSIONS. 

The  following  report  was  received  from  the  Treasurer  of  the 
Board  of  Missions : — 

To  the  Board  of  Missions  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  Slates. 
I  regret  to  announce  to  the  Board,  and  througli  It   to  tlie  Synods  and  the 
Churcli  at  hu-jre,  that  tlie  finances  are  not  in  as  promising  a  condition  as  at  the 
date  of  my  last  annual  report. 

The  contributions  have  fallen  off  very  seriously  during  the  year,  being  more 
than  twentv-four  hundred  dollars  less  than  during  the  previous  year. 

Some  of  the  Classes  have,  it  is  gratifying  to  state,  increased  their  contribu- 
tions very  handsomely,  but  others,  alas,  have  come  far  behind. 

The  present  indebtedness  of  the  Board  to  the  missionaries  is  nearly  $4,000, 
towards  paying  which  there  is  in  the  treasury  a  balance  of  $1,230.97,  leaving 
an  actual  indebtedness  of  more  than  $2,700. 

Unless  the  Church  manifests  more  liberality  during  tlie  present  year,  the 
number  of  missions  must  be  reduced  and  the  salaries  of  the  missionaries  cut 
down.  Such  a  step  is  painful  to  contemplate,  and  it  is  earnestly  hoped  may 
be  averted  by  God's  people  increasing  their  offerings  so  that  His  reign  may  be 
extended  and  His  kingdom  come. 

The  following  statement  exhibits  the  sources  and  amounts  contributed  for 
Missions,  viz : 

Synod  of  the  United  States. 

Classis  of  Philadelphia $  116  00 

Tohick(m 689  28 

"        Goslienhoppen 1536  75 

"        East  Pennsylvania 809  45 

Lebanon 1529  61 

"        Lancaster 761  45 

"        East  Susquehanna 353  00 

"        West  Pennsylvania 662  20 

"        Lehigh    .    ." 473  74 

Total  from  the  Synod  of  the  United  States     $  6,931  48 

Synod  of  the  Potomac. 

Classis  of   Zion §  387  15 

Maryland 910  12 

'•         Mercersburg 1006  25 

"         Virginia 170  95 

"         San  Francisco 15  00 

"         North   Carolina 72  41 

Total  from  the  Synod  of  the  Potomac  .    .      $  2,561  88  ; 

Synod  of  Pittsburg. 
From  the  Treasurer  of  Synod $  2,062  49 

11,555  85 
Miscellaneous  Sources. 
From  Locke  legacy    (principal)  ....  $  500  00 
"  "  "        (interest)      . 

''       Adelaide  Dechant  legacy  . 

"       Gcrhart  legacy 

Balance  in  Treasury  Oct.  11,  1880 

Total  from  all  sources 13,184  71 


135  00 

24  00 

6  00 

963  86 

$  1,628  86 

44 

Disbursements. 

Paid  orders  of  the  Board  during  year    $11,568  74 

Paid  Treasurer  Iowa  Classis 35  00 

Paid  Treasurer  Iowa  Classis  per  Trea- 
surer Pittsburgh  Synod   .    .    .  350  GO 
Balance  in  the  Treasury  Oct.  3,  1881             1,230  97       13,184  71 
Respectfully  submitted, 

Wm.  H.  Seibert,  Treasurer. 
Harrishurg,  Pa.,  Oct.  3,  1881. 

We,  the  undersigned,  a  committee  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Missions  of 
the  Reformed  Church  for  that  purpose,  beg  leave  to  report  that  we  liave  ex- 
amined the  Treasurer's  Report  with  the  accompanying  voucliers,  and  find  it  to 
be  correct,  with  a  balance  of  I?l,230.97  in  the  Treasury'. 
Witness  our  hands  this  3d  day  of  October,  1881. 

W.  H.  H.  Snyder,  •)      ^ 

D.  W.  Gross,         |      Committee. 

IV.    REPORT    OF    STANDING    COMMITTEE    ON    MISSIONS. 

Your  Committee  on  Missions  beg  leave  to  ofier  the  following  as  their 
report : 

There  have  been  referred  to  us  for  consideration  the  Reports  of  the  Tri- 
Synodic  Board  of  Mis-sions,  of  the  Superintendent  of  Missions,  of  tiie  Treasurer 
of  the  Tri-Synodic  Board  of  Missions,  and  an  overture  from  Iowa  Classis,  ask- 
ing for  a  special  appropriation  for  missions  within  its  bounds. 

In  the  reports  from  the  Tri-Synodic  Board  and  its  officers  we  find  the  fol 
lowing  matters  requiring  action  on  the  part  of  this  Synod,  namely:  A  request 
that  $3750.00  be  furnished  by  tliis  Synod  for  Missions,  during  the  ensuing 
year ;  and  also  certain  recommendations  respecting  collections  for  a  Building 
Fund,  Missionary  Festivals,  and  Missionary  Societies.  With  regard  to  these 
things  we  would  recommend  the  following  action : 

Besolved,  That  tliis  Synod  assume  the  $3750.00,  suggested  by  the  Board,  as 
our  portion  of  the  !?15,600.00  needed  to  carry  forward  the  work  now  in  hand, 
and  that  it  be  apportioned  as  follows:  Zion's  Classis  $1150.00,  Maryland 
Classis $1150.00,  Mercersburg  Classis  $1100.00,  Virginia  Classis  $300.00,  North 
Carolina  Classis  $150.00.  San  Francisco  Classis  $25.00,  and  Portland -Oregon 
Classis  $25.00 -making  $3900.00. 

Besolved,  That  the  Classes  of  this  Synod  be  urgently  enjoined  to  make  every 
proper  effort  to  meet  their  respective  apportionments. 

Resolved,  That  the  Classes  of  this  Synod  be  instructed  to  enjoin  upon  their 
pastors  to  take  up,  during  the  ensuing  year,  at  such  time  as  may  be  most 
suitable,  in  each  congregation  a  collection  for  a  Church-Building  Fund. 

Besolved,  That  the  Classes  of  this  Synod  be  also  recommended  to  hold  Mis- 
sionary Festivals  within  their  re-pective  bounds,  during  each  year,  and  to 
take  such  further  action  as  will  lead  to  the  organization  of  Missionary 
Societies  in  all  their  congregations. 

As  regards  the  overture  of  Iowa  Classis,  we  would  suggest  the  following 
t^tion : 

Resolved,  That  Iowa  Classis  be  requested  to  place  its  missions  so  far,  at 
least,  under  the  Tri-Synodic  Board,  as  to  report  annually  their  condition  and 
the  amounts  contributed  for  their  support,  to  said  Board. 

Besolved,  That  the  sum  of  $450.00  be  raised  by  this  Synod  for  missions 
within  the  bounds  of  Iowa  Classis,  and  that  this  amount  be  apportioned  as 
follows:  Zion's  Classis  $1.50.00.  Maryland  Classis  $150.00,  Mercersburg  Classis 
$130.00,  Virginia  Classis  $10.00,  and  North  Carolina  Classis  $10.00— said 
amounts  to  be  paid  over  by  the  Classes  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Tri-Synodic 


45 

Bi)arcl,  to  be  forwarded  by  him  to  the  Iowa  Classis,  when  said  Classis  has  com- 
plied witli  the  request  in  the  foregoing  resohition. 

Resolved,  That  the  Corresponding  Secretary  of  this  body  be  instructed  to 
inform  I«wa  Classis  of  this  action. 

Your  Committee  would  further  report,  that  by  instructions  of  Synod 
arrangements  were  made  for  a  ^lissionary  meeting,  during  tlie  sessions  of  this 
Synod.  This  meeting  was  held  on  the  evening  of  the  second  day  of  its  ses- 
sions. Rev.  Dr.  Miller  presided  over  the  meeting,  and  suitable  addresses  were 
delivered  by  Revs.  J.  M.  Titzel,  Dr.  T.  Appel,  and  W.  Rupp.  A  collection 
was  also  taken  up  for  missionary  purposes  in  the  field  of  Rev.  Julius  Lange  in 
Oregon,  which  amounted  to  $50.00,  including  a  supplemental  collection  on 
Sunday  evening. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

J.  M.  TiTZEL,  Chairman. 


The  Treasurer  of  the  Tri-Synodic  Board  acknowledges  the  recej:)- 
tion,  during  the  year,  of  the  following  sums  for  the  Washington 
Mission  Chapel,  to  wit:  Lebanon  Classis  $148.10,  Lancaster 
Classis  $134.67,  West  Susquehanna  Classis  $99.00,  Lehigh  Classis 
$66.00,  Goshenhoppen  Classis  $50.00  ==  $497.77  ;  Mercersburg 
Classis  $551.31,  Zion's  Classis  $105.40,  North  Carolina  Classis 
$25.00,  Virginia  Classis  $18.00  =  $699.71  ;  miscellaneous  sources 
$32.40.    Total  $1229.86. 


At  the  election  for  members  of  the  differKit  Boards,  held  during 
the  session  of  Monday  evening,  Rev.  Dr.  Theodore  Appel  was 
elected  as  Synod's  choice  for  Missionary  Superintendent  for  the 
period  of  four  years,  and  Revs.  J,  M.  Titzel  and  Dr.  Weisz  were 
elected  as  members  of  the  Synodic  Board  of  Missions  for  a  like 
term  of  years. 

MEMBERS  OF  THE  SYNODIC   BOARD    OF    MISSIONS    AND.  TERMS   OF    SERVICE, 

Rev.  J.  M.  Titzel  ....  4  years October,  1885 

I.  S.  Weisz 4  "  "  1885 

E.  R.  Eschbach  .    .    .  3  "  "  1884 

E.  N.  Kremer  .    .    .  3  "  "  1884 

G.  W.  Welker  .    .    .  2  "  "  18S3 

J.  O.  Miller  ....  1  "  "  1882 

Elder  S.  Dutrow 1  "  "  1882 


ARTICLE  XV. 

FINANCE. 

.  I.  treasurer's  report. 
The  Annual  Report  of  the  Treasurer  of  Synod  was  presented  and 
read,  and  then  referred  to  the  Standing  Committee  on  Finance,  for 
the  purpose  of  being  audited.     The  Report  is  as  follows : 


46 

Lewis  H.   Steiner,  Tnofiurer,  in  account  with,  the  Synod  of  the  Potomac 
of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States. 

Dr. 

Oct.  21,  1880.     To  balance  in  the  Treasury $281  13 

'*      "      "         To  amount  of  cash  and  subscriptions  collected 

at  Synod  for  Missions 58  88 

Jan.  12,  1881.     To  cash   from  C.  A.  Schultz,  Treasurer  Zion's 

(Jlassis,  on  assessment  of  said  Classis  for  1879-80 100  00 

Feb.  25,  1881.     To  cash  from  ditto,  being  balance  on  said  assess- 
ment with  interest 64  72 

May  6,  1881.     To  cash  from  Rev.  W.  M.  Deatrick,  Treasurer 
Mercersburg  Classis,  being  assessment  on  said  Classis  for 

1880-81 160  00 

"  12,  1881.     To  cash  from  Eev.  S.  S.  Miller,  Treasurer  Mary- 
land Classis,  being  assessment  on  said  Classis  for  1880-81  .    .      160  00 
July  22,  1881.     To  cash  from  Rev.  T.  Long,  Treasurer  North 
Carolina  Classis,  being   assessment   on   said   Classis   for 

1880-81 25  00 

Aug.  1,  1881.     To  cash  from  C.  A.  Shultz,  Treas.  Zion's  Classis, 

being  assessment  on  said  Classis  for  1880-81 160  00 

"  9,  1881.  To  cash  from  Rev.  J.  A.  Hoffheins,  Treasurer 
Virginia  Classis,  being  assessment  on  said  Classis  for 
1880-81 40  00 


11049  73 
Contra  Cr. 
Oct.  21,  1880.     By  cash  to  Eev.  A.  J.  Whitmore  for  Mint  Springs 

Mission,  being  Synomcal  collection 58  88 

Dec.  16,  1880.     By  cash  to  Rev.  W.  M.  Deatrick,  Treas.  Board 

of  Education, — one  year's  interest  on  Stoudenour  legacy  .    .    ^    12  00 
Jan  12,  1881.     By  cash  to  Lewis  Markell  on  loan  made  to  Synod 

for  Publication  Board 100  00 

"  24,  1881.     By  cash  to  Ref.  Ch.  Publication  Board  for  printing 

2000  copies  of  Minutes  of  Synod  for  1880 135  00 

April  2, 1881.    By  cash  to  Rev.  G.  E.  Addaras,  Pastor  of  Church- 
town  Church,  one  year's  interest  on  Brechbill  legacy  ....        12  00 
May  2,  1881.     By  cash  to  W.  D.  Gross,  Treas.  General  Synod, — 

assessment  for  Contingent  Fund 260  00 

"  6,  1881.     By  cash  to  Rev.  W.  M.  Deatrick,  Stated  Clerk's 

salary 100  00 

"   "  1881.     By  cash  to  Rev.  W.  M.  Deatrick,  Stated  Clerk's 

expenses 13  00 

"  12,  1881.    By  cash  to  Louis  Markell,  on  loan 133  85 

Aug.  1,  1881.    By  Cash   to  Louis  Markell  in  full  payment  of 

balance  on  loan  and  interest 74  16 

Oct.  19,  1881.     By  balance  in  Treasury 160  84 

$1049  73 
Liabilities  of  Synod. 
Stoudenour  Bequest  to  Board  of  Education,  with  interest  from 

December  15,  1880 200  00 

Brechbill   Bequest   to  Churchtown  Pastor,  with   interest   from 

April  2,   1881 200  00 

$400  00 
Respectfully  submitted, 

Lewis  H.  Steiner,  Treasurer. 


47 

II.   REPORT   OP   COMMITTEE   ON   FINANCE. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Finance  submitted  their  report, 
during  the  session  of  Tuesday  forenoon,  which  was  received  and 
adopted,  and  is  as  follows : 

To  the  Reverend  Synod  of  the  Potomac : 

Your  Conimittee  on  Finance  report,  tliat  they  examined  the  Treasurer's 
Report  and  found  it  correct,  with  a  balance  of  !?150.84  in  the  Treasury. 

To  meet  the  contingent  expenses  of  the  Synod,  and  liabilities  assumed  by 
the  Synod,  at  this  meeting,  your  Committee  suggest  the  following  assessment 
for  contingent  expenses,  assessment  of  the  General  Synod,  and  pledge  to  Mer- 
cersburg  College :  Zion  s  Classis,  Maryland  Classis,  and  Mercersburg  Classis, 
each,  ?275.00 ;  Virginia  Classis,  $50.00;  and  North  Carolina  Classis,  !r30. 00. 
Making  §905.00. 

To  meet  the  deficiency  in  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Lancaster  and  the 
note  of  Mrs.  N.  Fisher,  deceased,  your  Committee  recommend  the  following 
assessments  :  Zion's  Classis,  Maryland  Classis,  and  Mercersburg  Classis,  each, 
$325.00;  Virginia  Classis,  $75.00;  and  North  Carolina  Classis,  $50.  Making 
$1100.  Kespectfully  submitted, 

A.  J.  Heller,  Chairman. 

In  the  absence  of  any  report  from  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
Synod,  Rev.  M.  H.  Sangree,  agent  of  said  Board  to  collect  the 
balance  due  on  loan  effected  by  the  Board  by  order  of  the  Synod 
several  years  ago,  submitted  the  following  report  to  the  Synod, 
which  was  received  and  adopted,  to  wit: 

To  the  Reverend  Synod  of  the  Potomac  : 

As  agent  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  appointed  by  your  body  at  the  Synod  of 
Winchester,  A.  D.  1875,  for  the  securenient  of  the  Two  Thousand  Dollar 
Loan  for  the  relief  of  the  Reformed  Church  Publication  Board,  the  under- 
signed would  report,  that  he  has  been  unable  to  make  any  collections  within 
the  past  year,  but  hopes  to  be  able  to  pay  over  to  the  Synod  one  hundred  dol- 
lars within  the  current  year. 
Respectfully  submitted, 

M.  H.  Sangree,  Agent. 

At  the  election  for  members  of  the  several  Boards  of  Synod, 
Elder  J.  Taylor  Motter  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  Synod  for  the  term  of  five  years. 

MEMBERS   OF  THE   BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES  AND   TERMS   OF   SERVICE. 


;  Elder  J.  Tavlor  Motter 
Rev.  J.  T.  R'ossitter  .    . 
Elder  Louis  Markel    . 
"        H.  Wirt  Shriver 
Rev.  W.  R.  H.  Deatrich 


.  0  years 
.  4     '' 
.  3     " 
.  2     " 
•1     " 


.  January  1,  1887 
.  January  1,  1886 
.  January  1,  1885 
.  January  1,  1884 
.  January  1,  1883, 


[ARTICLE  XVI. 
'appeals  and  references. 
Nothing  occurred^under  this  head. 


48 
ARTICLE  XVir. 

COMPLAINTS. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Minutes  of  Classes,  under  item  9, 
reported  a  complaint  to  Synod  by  the  Rev.  A.  Wanner,  against  the 
action  of  Zion's  Chissis  in  divitling  his  pastoral  charge.  The 
Standing  Committee  on  Overtures,  under  items  2  and  7,  report 
overtures  to  Synod  on  the  same  subject.  The  matter  was  referred 
to  a  special  committee  consisting  of  Revs.  J.  S  IviefFer,  J.  M. 
Titzel,  Dr.  Staley,  and  Elders  W.  Dice  and  E.  VVilliard,  to  ex- 
amine whether  or  not  the  Complaint  be  in  order,  and  if  found  in 
order,  report  an  order  of  trial.  The  Committee  reported,  on  Monday 
evening,  as  follows,  which  was  received  and  adopted,  to  wit : 

The  Comnuttee  to  whom  was  referred  the  Comphiint  of  Rev.  A.  Wanner 
against  certain  action  of  Zion's  Chassis,  would  respectfully  report,  that  having 
examined  the  papers  placed  in  their  hands  relating  to  sai<l  Complaint,  they 
have  found  it  to  be  in  order,  and  accordingly  recommend  the  following  pro- 
vision for  the  hearing  and  settling  of  it : 

1.  Tliat  the  hearing  of  this  Complaint  be  the  order  of  the  day  for  Tuesday 
morning,  immediately  after  the  opening  of  Synod. 

2.  That  the  papers  relating  to  the  Complaint  be  read. 

3.  That  twenty  minutes  be  allowed  to  the  Complainant,  and  afterwards  to 
the  Classis,  for  the  presentation  respectively  of  the  Complaint  and  defence. 

4.  That,  thereupon,  the  vote  be  taken,  in  the  usual  wa}',  without  any  debate. 

Respectfully  submitted,  J.  S.  Kieffer,  Chairman- 

Rev.  Dr.  Kieffer  was  recognized  as  the  attorney  of  the  Classis  in 
the  case.  At  the  appointed  time  the  Complaint  was  taken  up. 
On  motion,  the  Complaint  was  sustained.  A  special  committee, 
consisting  of  Revs.  J.  M.  Titzel,  Dr.  Santee,  T.  F.  Hoifmeier,  and 
Elders  G.  Harbaugh  and  A.  Raab,  was  appointed  to  give  an  ex- 
planation of  the  sense  of  Synod's  action  in  sustaining  the  Complaint. 
This  committee  subsequently  presented  the  following  report,  which 
was  received  and  adopted : 

Your  Committee  appointed  to  report  the  effect  of  the  sustaining  of  the  Com- 
plaint beg  leave  to  report,  that  this  action  has  made  the  action  of  the  Classis  as 
regards  the  reconstruction  of  the  Rev.  A.  VVanner's  pastoral  charge  null  and  void. 
Respectfully  submitted,  J.  M.  Titzel,  Chairman. 


ARTICLE  XVIII. 

SUNDAY  SCHOOLS. 

The  Sunday-school  Board  submitted  its  annual  report  to  the 
Synod,  during  the  session  of  Friday  morning,  which  was  received, 
and  its  consideration  was  made  the  order  of  the  day  for  Friday 
afternoon  at  three  o'clock.     The  Report  is  as  follows  : 

REPORT    OF    SUNDAY-SCHOOL    BOARD. 

The  great  and  growing  importance  of  the  Sunday-school  interest  in  our 
Church  should  challenge  from  this  Synod  careful  consideration,  earnest  dis- 
cussion, and  wise  and  wholesome  legislation,     la  our  time,  the  Sunday-school 


49 

is  a  jirominent  agent  in  the  spiritual  training  of  tlie  young,  and  it  behooves 
the  Church  to  see  to  it  that  tlie  instruction  coming  from  tliis  source  is  suited 
and  answerable  for  tiie  end  in  view.  Chief  attention  should  be  given  to  the 
lessons  and  helps  which  are  needed  to  carry  forward  tlie  instruction  of  the 
children  and  to  indoctrinate  them  in  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible.  These  should 
be  the  very  best  which  the  talent  of  the  Church  can  supply.  In  an  average 
Sunday-school,  there  is  found  material  for  at  l^ast  two  grades,  calling  for  les- 
sons and  helps  which  are  suited  to  them,  and  the  Church  should  see  to  it  that 
these  wants  are  properly  met,  and  the  Board  would  call  the  special  attention 
of  this  iSynod  to  this  interesting  point  in  our  Sunday-school  work. 

The  Board  arranged  the  following  programme,  with  topics  and  the 
speakers  to  open  the  discussions  :  Topic  1.  1.  The  qualifications  necessary 
for  a  successful  Sunday-school  teacher;  2.  How  to  prepare  the  lesson;  3.  The 
best  method  to  teach.  Speakers,  Eevs.  J.  M.  Titzel  and  B.  E.  Carnahan. 
Topic  II.  1.  The  series  of  Sunday-school  lessons — international  or  indepen- 
dent ?  2.  In  what  way  should  the  lessons  be  prepared,  so  as  best  to  meet  the 
wants  of  the  school  and  promote  its  prosperity?  For  the  discussion  of  the 
first  topic,  the  Board  would  ask  this  body  to  set  apart  Friday  evening,  and 
would  recommend  that  the  second  topic  be  made  the  order  of  the  day  for  Fri- 
day afternoon. 

The  Titasurer  of  the  Board  reports  the  amount  of  ^SO.OO  in  hand. 
Respectfully  submitted, 

J.  W.  Santee,  President. 

Friday  evening  was  set  ai:)art  as  the  time  for  holding  the  usual 
Sunday-school  anniversary,  at  which  time  the  first  topic  was  dis- 
cussed, as  asked  for  by  the  Board.  At  the  designated  hour,  ou  Friday 
afternoon,  the  second  topic  was  taken  up  by  the  Synod,  and  dis- 
cussed until  the  hour  for  adjournment  arrived,  without  disponing  of 
it.  After  further  discussion  of  it,  during  part  of  the  sessions  of 
Saturday  morning  and  Monday  morning,  the  subject  was  disposed 
of  by  the  adoption  of  the  following  resolution  : 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  Synod,  that  the  Lessons  used  in  the 
Sunday-schools  of  our  Church  should  be  in  harmony  with  the  order  of  the 
Church  Year. 

At  the  election  held  for  members  of  the  different  Boards  of  the 
Synod,  Rev.  B.  R  Carnahan  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  Sunday- 
school  Board  for  the  term  of  five  years,  and  Rev.  F.  F.  Bahuer  for 
two  years. 

MEMBERS    OF    THE    SUNDAY-SCHOOL    BOARD    AND    TERMS    OF    SERVICE. 

Rev.  B.  R.  Carnahan 5  years October,  1886. 

"     Dr.  Zieber 4 '    "  "        1885. 

Elder  G.  S.Griffith 3      "  "        1884. 

Rev.  F.  F.  Bahner  ......  2      ''  "        1883. 

"     Dr.  Santee 1      "  "        1882. 


ARTICLE  XIX. 
CHURCH    GOVERNMENT. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Minutes  of  Classes,  under  item  4, 
reported  a  rctjuest  from  the  Zion's  Classis,  asking  for  a  division  of 
said  Classis  into  three  Classes.    On  motion,  the  request  was  granted. 
4 


50 

It  was  ordered,  that  the  following  ministers,  together  with  the  fol- 
lowing pastoral  charges  form  and  constitute  the  Gettysburg  Classis, 
to  wit :  Revs.  W.  K.  Zieber,  D.  D. ,  J.  D.  Zehring,  M.  Kieffer,  D.  D., 
A.  J.  Heller,  J.  Kretzing,  W.  D.  Lefevre,  S.  F.  Laury,  D.  U.  Wolff, 
H.  Hilbish,  W.  E.  Krebs,  and  D.  N.  Dittraar,  and  the  pastoral 
charges  of  Gettysburg,  Conowago,  Christ  Church,  Abbottstown, 
Littlestown,  and  East  Berlin  in  Adaras  county,  and  Hanover, 
Emanuel's,  and  Manheim  in  York  county.  It  was  also  ordered, 
that  the  following  ministers,  together  with  the  following  pastoral 
charges,  form  and  constitute  the  Carlisle  Classis,  to  wit :  Revs.  W. 
R.  H.  Deatrich,  F.  S.  Lindaman,  G.  W.  Glessner,  D.  D.,  U.  H. 
Heilman,  J.  M.  Mickly,  A.  H.  Kremer,  D.D.,  G.  E.  Addaras,  and 
H.  T.  Spangler  and  the  pastoral  charges  of  Carlisle,  Mechauicsburg, 
Newburg,  and  Sulphur  Spring  in  Cumberland  county,  and  New 
Bloomfield,  Landisburg,  Zion's,  and  Duncannon,  and  St.  Andrew's 
congregation  in  Perry  county.  The  Zion's  Classis  to  consist  of  the 
remaining  ministers  and  pastoral  charges  of  the  Classis. 

Revs.  J.  M.  Titzel,  J.  W.  Santee,  T.  F.  Hoffmeier,and  Elders  W. 
Dice  and  A.  Raab  were  appointed  a  special  committee  to  name  the 
place,  time,  and  individuals  to  preside  at  the  organizations  of  the 
new  Classes.  This  committee  reported  as  follows,  which  was 
received  and  adopted : 

Your  Committee,  appointed  to  make  arrangements  for  tlie  organization  of 
the  new  Clashes,  wliicli  Synod  has  formed  out  of  the  territory  of  Zion's  Classis, 
beg  leave  to  report  tlie  following  for  adoption  : 

Jit'solved,  That  the  division  go  into  efftct  immediately  after  the  next  annual 
meeting  of  Zion's  Classis. 

Resolved,  That  the  Gettysburg  Classis  meet  for  organization  in  Gettysburg, 
Pa.,  on  Wednesday  evening,  June  14th,  1882,  at  8  o'clock,  anil  that  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Kien'er  preside. 

Resolied,  That  the  Carlisle  Classis  meet  for  organization  in  Carlisle,  Pa.,  on 
Wednesday  evening,  June  14ili,  1882,  at  8  o'clock,  and  that  the  Kev.  Dr. 
Kremer  preside. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

J.  M.  Titzel,  Chairman. 


The  General  Synod  having  announced  that  the  amendment  to 
the  Constitution,  allowing  each  District  Synod  to  determine  the 
basis  and  mode  of  representation  of  the  Classes  in  the  District 
Synods,  had  been  constitutionally  adopted,  it  was,  on  motion, 

Resolved,  That  whenever  the  Synod  of  the  Potomac  shall  meet  as  a  delegated 
body,  the  ratio  of  re[)resentation  of  the  Classes  constituting  tlie  Synod  shall  be 
on  the  basis  of  one  minister  and  one  elder  for  every  four  ministers  enrolled, 
and  fractional  part  thereof. 

ARTICLE  XX. 

PUBLICATION. 

The  following  report  was  received  from  the  Stated  Clerk,  in 
reference  to  the  publication  of  the  Minutes  of  the  Eighth  Annual 
meeting  of  Synod,  and  was  adopted  : 


51 

REPORT   ON    PUBLISHING    MINUTES. 

The  undersigned  begs  leave  to  report,  that  he  had  two  thousand  copies  ol 
the  Acts  and  Proceedings  of  the  last  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Synod  printed 
and  bound  in  pamphlet  form,  according  to  instructions,  and  distributed  them 
agreeably  to  the  rules  and  regulations  in  the  case.  The  Minutes  number  nine 
pages  more  than  those  of  the  previous  year,  and  cost  $135.00 — which  is  the 
same  per  page  as  those  of  the  former  year.  The  work  was  done  by  the 
Reformed  Church  Publication  Board,  as  directed. 
Respectfully  submitted, 

\Vm.  M.  Deatrick,  Stated  Clerk. 

The  Stated  Clerk  was  instructed  to  have  two  thousand  copies  of 
the  Minutes  of  the  present  sessions,  duly  authenticated,  printed,  and 
to  distribute  them  among  those  entitled  to  receive  them. 


I.    ANNUAL     REPORT    OF    THE    REFORMED    CHURCH    PUBLICATION 

BOARD. 

The  Annual  Report  of  the  Reformed  Church  Publication  Board 
was  received,  and  having  been  read,  was  referred  to  the  Standing 
Committee  on  Publication.     The  Report  is  as  follows,  to  wit : 

Annual  Report  of  the  Board  of  Publication  from  August  1st,  1880,  to 
JubjSlst,  1881. 
To  the  Synods   of  the    United   States,  the    Potomac  and  Pittsburgh,  the 
Board  of  Publication  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States  respect- 
fully submits  the  following  report : — 

The  Board  during  the  year  has  held  one  special  and  three  regular  meet- 
ings. At  each  due  attention  was  given  to  tlie  interests  entrusted  to  their 
charge.  It  takes  great  pleasure  in  reporting  a  continued  improvement  in  its 
affairs.  In  ail  of  the  departments  there  has  been  an  increase  of  receipts,  ana 
in  the  case  of  some  of  the  Periodicals — as  last  year — the  increase  has  been 
very  decided.  Only  two  of  the  latter  have  suffered  a  decrease  in  the  number 
of  subscribers,  viz. : — T/ie  Reformed  Quarterly,  to  the  number  of  27,  and  the 
monthly  Child's  Treasury,  to  the  number  of  490,  less  than  last  year,  whilst  in 
the  others,  the  increase  over  all  discontinuances  is  very  considerable,  showing 
a  gradual  and  permanent  gain.  The  following  is  the  excess  of  additions  over 
discontinuances  in  each  case  :  Messenger,  276  ;  Guardian,  249  ;  Child's  Treasury, 
{semi-monthly),  674;  (SMnsAj'ne,  932 ;  and  Lesson  Papers,  1768.  In  the  case 
of  the  Me,'ssenycr  it  may  be  remembered  that  the  number  of  subscribers  it  now 
has,  is  for  the  double  sheet  alone,  so  that  in  comparing  the  number  of  sub- 
scribers with  that  of  last  year,  we  find  the  increase  is  all  told  a  small  fraction 
over  one  thousand  (1000).  Also  in  the  case  of  the  Child's  Treasury,  wh'ilat 
there  has  been  a  decrease  in  the  number  of  subscribers  for  the  Monthly,  there 
has  been  a  corresponding  increase  in  those  of  the  Semi  monthly. 

In  the  Book  Department,  as  a  whole,  there  is  an  improvement.  There 
seems  to  be  a  more  general  disposition  on  the  part  of  the  ministers  and  mem- 
bers of  the  Church  to  give  it  their  patronage.  And  this  they  certainly  owe 
to  it,  since  it  is  the  establisiiment  of  the  Church,  and,  that  not  for  the  benefit 
pecimiarily  of  any  particular  individuals,  but  for  that  of  the  Church.  There 
is  still,  we  are  sorry  to  say,  a  disposition  on  the  part  of  too  many  to  give  their 
patronage  to  outside  parties  and  ignore  altogether  the  claims  of  tlieir  own 
Publication  House.  The  Board  would  here  emphatically  reiterate  the  fact, 
that  it  has  the  ability  and  facilities  for  s(i[)plyiug  any  book  or  books  at  the 
same  rates  at  which  they  can  be  had  at  any  other  liouse.     Nothing,  verily,  is 


52 

saved  to  tlie  parties  thus  giving  their  orders  to  other  houses,  whilst  it  is  that 
much  gain  to  our  own  house,  if  they  favor  it  witli  them.  During^  the  year, 
31,850  copies  of  books,  &c.,  were  printed  for  this  department. 

The  usual  Committee  to  whom  is  assigned  the  special  duty  of  taking  an  ac- 
count of  stock  and  investigating  the  financial  condition  of  the  establishment, 
was  appointed.     They  attended  to  their  duty  and  submitted  the  following  re- 
port, which  was  adopted: — 
"  Brethren  of  the  Board  of  Publication  : 

"  Your  Committee  appointed  to  take  account  of  stock  and  report  upon 
the  assets  and  liabilities  of  the  Board,  respectfully  offer  the  following.  We 
find  the  Book  department  in  good  condition.  We  still  have  a  considerable 
amount  of  unsaleable  stock  on  hand,  on  much  of  which  we  place  no  estimated 
value.  There  is  also  some  of  the  stock  that  has  depreciated  in  value,  which 
we  reduced  accordingly  in  our  estimate  of  assets. 

After  throwing  out  all  stock  as  valueless  upon  which  we  could  not  realize  at 
once,  and  deducting  for  depreciation  of  stock  and  all  bad  or  doubtful  accounts, 

we  find  tlie  Assets  to  be  in  sum  total |42,949  47 

Real  Estate 35,000  00 

177,949  47 

Liabilities, ■ $34,434  48 

Mortgage, 20,000  00 

54,434  48 


Excess  of  assets $23,514  99 

We  are  glad  to  be  able  to  say  that  our  exjjenses  are  now  fully  within  our 
own  income,  and  that  the  prospects  are,  we  will  be  able  gradually  to  reduce 
our  liabilities  even  after  paying  the  heavy  amount  of  interest  to  be  met  an- 
nually on  mortgage  and  loans. 

All  our  Periodicals  are  now  self-sustaining,  and  some  of  them  pay  a  hand- 
some profit,  which  meets  the  interest  account. 

The  wholesale  department  of  the  Book  Store  is  also  jjaying  well,  but  the 
retail  department  falls  considerably  short  of  expenses,  if  we  count  reasonable 
rent  for  store  room  on  second  floor. 

Through  the  energy  of  our  attorney,  Daniel  H.  W^ingerd,  Esq.,  a  large 
amount  has  been  collected  on  old  accounts.  We  heartily  recommend  that  the 
good  work  be  continued  without  respect  to  persons,  until  all  the  old  accounts 
be  collected  up. 

The  outlook  is  very  encouraging,  if  the  Synods  will  allow  us  to  go  forward 
in  our  own  way,  and  our  ministers  and  members  will  give  us  their  confidence 
and  patronage. 

J.  W.  Love,  ^ 

A.  B.  WiNGERD,     |-  Committee. 

Geo.  Geebach,     J 

Whilst  it  is  the  pleasure  of  the  Board  to  report  thus  encouragingly  of  the 
interests  under  its  charge,  it  is  made  to  have  feelings  of  sadness,  when  it 
here  chronicles  the  fact  that  ere  its  present  financial  year  had  reached  its 
close,  its  Superintendent  and  Treasurer,  Eev.  Samuel  R.  Fisher,  D.D.,  was 
stricken  down  in  the  midst  of  his  labors,  and  called  up  higher.  Though 
death  met  him  far  from  his  home  and  tlie  scene  of  his  many  years  labor  for 
the  Church,  he  fell  at  his  post  of  duty.  It  may  well  be  said,  that  the  i^resent 
encouraging  condition  of  the  affairs  of  the  Board,  is  mainly  owing  to  liis  un- 
tiring energy  and  pronounced  business  qualifications,  not  to  say,  to  his  life- 
long devotion  and  unselfish  interest  in  the  Publication  affairs  of  the  Church 
he  loved  so  well,  and  for  whicii  he  labored  so  abundantly.  Verily,  tlie  Church 
will  never  know  how  much  he  has  done  and  sacrificed  in  this  particular,  and 


53 

owes  him  a  great  debt  of  gratitude  for  whatever  slie  has  to-day  in  the  way  of 
Publication  interests.  He  closed  his  earthly  career  in  the  72d  year  of  his 
age,  on  Whitsunday  (June  5th),  1881,  in  Titiin,  Ohio,  whither  he  had  gone  to 
attend  the  meeting  of  the  General  Synod.  His  remains  were  borne  to  Ciiam- 
ber.'sburg,  and  deposited  in  the  Cemetery  of  the  Reformed  Church,  alongside 
of  beloved  dead,  there  to  await  the  resurrection  morn. 

Imniediately  upon  the  announcement  of  the  death  of  it3  Superintendent 
and  Treasurer,  the  Board,  at  the  call  of  its  President,  met  at  its  rooms  in 
special  session,  June  16,  1881.  It  recognized  the  life  and  character  of  its 
late  Superintendent  and  Treasurer,  by  adopting  the  following  minute  : — 

The  Board  of  Publication  has  heard  with  profound  sorrow  of  the  death 
of  Rev.  Samuel  R.  Fisher,  D.  D.,in  Tiffin,  O.,  on  Whitsunday.  His  intimate 
nnd  long  continued  association  with  the  Church  lias  endeared  and  familiarized 
him  to  the  great  body  of  its  members,  and  his  intimate  and  cherished  relations 
with  this  Board  gained  for  him  the  confidence  and  love  of  all  who  compose  it. 
Identified  with  the  ministry  of  his  Church  for  nearly  fifty  (50)  years,  and 
connected  with  its  Publication  interests  for  more  than  forty  (40)  vears,  the 
Church  most  sensibly  felt  and  keenly  appreciated  his  usefulness  as  pastor, 
preacher,  editor  and  manager  of  its  publications.  Even  "  in  a  good  old  age,'' 
"  his  eye  was  not  dim,  nor  his  natural  force  abated."  ''He  died  in  his  har- 
ness," while  engaged  upon  an  important  work  for  the  Church,  which,  if  he 
had  been  spared  to  complete,  would  have  crowned  his  life  of  useful  industry. 

"  As  a  shock  of  corn  cometh  in  his  season,"  has  he  been  gathered  by  the 
Great  Harvester  to  his  eternal  reward.  "Neither  shall  his  place  know  him 
any  more  on  earth,"  but  on  the  records  of  the  Church,  and  in  the  hearts  of  its 
members,  his  memory  shall  be  unfading.  AVhere  dwell  the  just  made  perfect, 
is  tlie  spirit  of  our  dead  brother  and  friend. 

The  Board  at  the  same  time  requested  the  Rev.  T.  G.  Apple,  D.  D.,  to  fill 
the  place  of  Synodical  Editor  of  the  Eastern  Synod,  made  vacant  by  the  death 
of  Rev.  S.  R.  Fisher,  D.  D.,  until  the  next  meeting  of  the  Synod. 

The  Board  also  appointed  Rev.  Chas.  G.  Fisher,  who  had  been  his  father's 
assistant  for  the  past  fifteen  months,  as  its  Superintendent  and  Treasurer  until 
thp  meeting  of  Synods.  Hence  the  business  of  the  Board  has  gone  on  without 
any  interruption  and  with  usual  care  and  attention,  as  the  annual  statement 
accompanying  this  report  will  show. 

The  Board,  as  has  been  mentioned  in  the  report  of  the  Committee  of  the 
Board,  has  been  able  to  collect  a  goodly  portion  of  its  outstanding  dues,  and 
in  this  particular  much  is  due  to  the  Attorney  of  the  Board,  Daniel  H. 
Wingerd,  Esq.-  The  Board  has  directed  the  Superintendent  to  push  the  mat- 
ter of  collections,  so  as  to  bring  its  business  more  and  more  to  a  cash  basis. 

The  General  Agent,  H.  K.  Binkley,  has  met  with  signal  success  in  adding 
to  the  number  of  subscribers  to  "  The  Messenger"  during  the  year.  The 
Board  asks  for  him  the  earnest  and  hearty  co-operation  of  the  brethren  of 
the  Church,  whose  charges  he  may  visit  from  time  to  time  in  the  prosecution 
of  the  work  he  has  undertaken — a  work  that  concerns  the  wliole  Church. 

The  Board  during  the  year  accepted  the  resignation  of  Rev.  A.  C.  Whit- 
mer,  as  Editor  of  the  ''  Ohild's  Treasury,"  and  appointed  Rev.  R.  L.  Gerhart, 
as  his  sifccessor,  who  has  already  entered  on  his  duties.  • 

The  Board  has  resolved  to  issue  during  the  coming  year,  two  (2)  grades  of 
Le.sson  Papers — Advanced  and  Primary.  In  order  to  have  a  uniform  and 
satisfactory  series  of  Lessons  and  Comments  for  the  Church,  the  Board 
would  respectfully  ask  the  Synods  to  allow  it  to  see  to  the  editing  and  prepara- 
tion of  the  same  for  the  coming  year. 

At  the  Special  Meeting  of  the  Board  held  last  June,  it  was  informed  of  the 
disposal  made  by  its  late  Superintendent  and  Treasurer,  in  his  last  will  and 
Testament,  of  his  original  investment  and  advances  as  Trca^surer,  viz. :  "  that 
if  the  Board  so  wished,  $15,000.00  of  the  sum  total  should  remain  for  the  use 


54 

of  the  Board  for  15  years,  provided,  good   security  should  be  given  for  its 

gayment  at  the  end  of  that  period  and  that  the  interest  be  regularly  paid."  The 
ioard  by  way  of  arriving  at  a  settlement  with  the  Executor  of  the  Estate — 
as  to  the  actual  amount  due  said  estate,  found  it  to  be — up  to  June  16th,  1881, 
principal  and  interest,  $17,886.66. 

In  the  same  will,  the  late  Superintendent,  devises  to  the  Board  of  Publica- 
tion, the  Stereotype  plates  and  Copyrights  of  his  books  published  by  the 
Board,  viz.:  '' Exercises  on  Heidelberg  Catechism,'' '' Heidelberg  Catechism 
Simplified,"  and  "  Family  Assistant." 

Among  the  liabilities  of  the  Board  were  two  notes  amounting  to  $2,900.00, 
held  by  the  Estate  of  Mrs.  N.  Fisher,  dec'd,  of  which  Hon.  John  Cessna  is 
Administrator.  The  Administrator  having  informed  the  Board  by  letter  that  it 
was  his  desire  to  settle  up  the  estate  as  soon  as  possible,  the  Board  made  pro- 
visions for  the  immediate  payment  of  the  same,  by  making  a  loan  through  a 
note  for  four  (4)  months,  thrown  in  bank,  endorsed  by  individual  members  of 
the  Board.  The  Board  would  respectfully  request  the  Synods  to  make  ar- 
rangements for  providing  the  Board  with  funds  sufficient  to  cancel  the  loan 
thus  made  when  it  becomes  due,  in  the  usual  proportions  from  each  Synod. 

The  term  of  service  of  D.  W.  Gross,  one  of  the  Trustees  from  the  Synod 
of  the  United  States,  and  that  of  Rev.  J.  W.  Love,  from  the  Synod  of  Pitts- 
burgh, will  expire  on  Jan.  1st,  1882.  Hence  it  will  devolve  upon  these  two 
Synods  lo  fill  the  vacancies  that  will  thus  occur  in  the  Board  at  their  Annual 
Sessions.  D.  W.  Gross,  President. 

Chas.  G.  Fisher,  Secretary  pro  tern. 
Philadelphia,  Sept.  27th,  1881. 

II.    REPORT    OF    COMMITTEE   ON   PUBLICATION. 

The  Standing  Committeee  on  Publication  reported,  during  the 
session  of  Monday  evening,  their  report  being  received,  considered 
item  by  item,  and  then  adopted  as  a  whole.  The  report  is  as 
follovps : 

To  the  Synod  of  the  Potomac  : 

Your  Standing  Committee  on  Publication  would  offer  the  following  report. 

We  have  had  placed  in  our  hands  but  one  document,  namely,  the  Annual 
Report  of  the  Reformed  Church  Publication  Board,  which  we  have  carefully 
considered,  and  in  reference  to  which  we  offer  the  following  resolutions,  as 
covering  the  action  required  by  this  Synod. 

Resolved,  That  we  heartily  rejoice  at  the  encouraging  prospects  and  the 
favorable  financial  showing  of  the  Board,  at  this  time,  as  presented  in  its  an- 
nual report. 

Resolved,  That  we  earnestly  recommend  to  the  Classes,  ministers  and  elders 
within  the  bounds  of  this  Synod  to  make  every  effort  to  introduce  the  publica- 
tions of  the  Board  as  speedily  as  possible  into  all  the  families  of  the 
Church. 

Resolved,  That  we  .earnestly  commend  the  book-store  of  the  Board  to  the 
patronage  of  our  ministers  and  people.  * 

Resolved,  That  whilst  this  Synod  would  have  preferred  to  continue  the 
arrangements  heretofore  existing  between  the  three  Synods,  in  regard  to  the 
preparation  of  Sunday-School  Lessons  and  Comments  for  the  use  of  our 
Church,  yet  we  acquiesce  in  the  overture  of  the  Board,  allowing  them  to  see 
to  the  preparation  of  these  Lessons  themselves,  but  hoping  that  in  doing  so 
they  will  have  due  regard  to  the  express  wishes  of  this  Synod  in  regard  to  the 
nature  and  character  of  these  Lessons. 

Resolved,  That  we  recognize  in  the  death  of  the  Rev.  S.  R.  Fisher,  D.D.,  the 
late  Superintendent  and  Treasurer  of  the  Board,  a  mysterious  Providence,,  and 


00 

a  sad  bereavement  to  our  Church,  that  we  are  grateful  to  the  divine  Head  of 
the  Church  for  the  eminent  services  rendered  to  our  Reformed  Zion  by  the 
departed  servant  of  God,  and  that  we  shall  ever  cherish  his  name  and 
memory  as  a  precious  legacy  to  the  Church. 

Hesolred,  That  this  Synod  has  no  suggestions  to  offer  in  regard  to  the  in- 
debtedness of  tiie  Board  to  the  estate  of  Eev.  Dr.  Fisher,  deceased,  but  leaves 
this  matter  entirely  to  the  management  of  tlie  Board. 

Hesoivcd,  Tliat  this  Synod  assume  $1000.00  of  the  amount  due  by  the  Board 
to  the  estate  of  Mrs.  Naomi  Fisher,  deceased,  and  that  tlus  amount  be  af)por- 
tioned  by  the  Committee  on  Finance  among  the  several  Classes  composing  the 
Synod. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

W.  RUPP,  Chairman. 

The  following  resolution  was  subsquently  adopted: 
Resolved,  That  this  Synod  approves  of  the  election  of  Rev.  C.  G.  Fisher  by 
the  Board  of  Publication  as  its  Superintendent  and  Treasurer. 


The  Standing  Coraniittee  on  Minutes  of  Synod  reported,  under 
item  15,  the  continuance  of  the  Committee  to  prepare  and  publish, 
conjointly  with  a  similar  Committee  from  the  Synod  of  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  the  United  States,  an  edition  of  "Hymns  for  the 
Reformed  Church,"  with  music, —  with  special  instructions  to  have 
the  same  published  at  the  earliest  practicable  time. 

The  Committee,  through  its  chairman,  presented  the  following 
report,  which  was  received  and  adopted.     The  report  is  as  follows  -. 

To  the  Reverend  Synod  of  the  Potoma". : 

Your  Committee  on  music  for  the  new  Hymn-book  has  finished  its  work  so 
far  as  the  selection  of  music  is  concerned ;  and  by  a  joint-session  of  the  Com- 
mittees of  the  two  Synods,  the  whole  work  could  be  soon  ready  for  the  hands 
of  the  printer.  Such  a  joint-session  was  suggested,  but  the  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  of  the  Synod  of  the  U.  S.  thought  it  would  be  time  lost  to  hold 
such  a  session  before  the  General  Synod  had  met  and  acted  upon  the  whole 
subject.  The  General  Synod  has  met,  and  your  committee  deems  it  proper 
now  to  leave  the  decision  of  what  shall  be  done  to  the  Synod  itself.  If  the 
Synod  so  directs,  the  committees  can  go  on  and  publish  the  work  and  fiiinish 
it  to  the  Synod  within  the  coming  Synodical  year.  If  the  Synod,  however, 
desire  to  throw  the  whole  matter  into  the  hands  of  the  General  Synod,  this 
report  can  be  regarded  as  final,  and  the  committee  discharged.  Whatever 
action  may  be  taken,  it  would  be  well  to  inform  the  Synod  of  the  U.  S.,  to 
secure  if  possible  its  concurrence. 
Respectfully  submitted, 

E.  E.  IIiGBEE,  Chairman. 
t  P.  S. — Potomac  Synod  in  ace.  with  E.  E.  Higbee,  Chairman. 

DR. 

To  1  trip  to  Frederick $3  50 

"  Lancaster 6  50 

Total $10  00 

On  motion,  the  Treasurer  of  Synod  was  ordered  to  pay  the  bill  of 

expenses. 


56 

MEMBERS    OP    THE    PUBLICATION     BOARD     AND    TERMS    OF    SERVICE. 

Elder  Goklsboro  S.  Griffiih    .    .       2  years 1883. 

•'      Adam  B.  Wingerd  ....  1  year 1882. 

ARTICLE  XXI. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 

During  tlie  session  of  Monday  forenoon,  the  Standing  Committee 
on  Nominations  presented  their  report,  which  was  received  and 
adopted.  The  Chairman  of  the  Committee  was  instructed  to  have 
two  hundred  tickets  of  these  nominations  printed  for  the  use  of  the 
Synod,  and  the  election  was  made  the  order  of  the  day  for  Monday 
evening,  at  the  opening  of  the  session  At  the  time  designated  the 
election  took  place.  Kevs.  N.  M.  Skyles  and  H.  S.  Garner,  and 
Elders  E.  Williard  and  J.  Seibert  were  appointed  tellers,  who 
received  the  ballots,  counted  the  votes,  and  furnished  the  President 
with  the  result  of  the  election.  This  result  will  be  found  elsewhere, 
in  connection  with  the  action  of  Synod  on  the  Reports  of  the  Boards 
of  Education,  Regents  of  Mercersburg  College,  Missions,  Trustees 
of  Synod,  and  Sunday-schools. 


The  Standing  Committee  on  Overtures,  under  item  5,  reported  a 
statement  of  Bethany  Orphans'  Home  at  Womelsdorf,  Pa.,  from 
the  President  of  the  Board  of  Managers  and  the  Superintendent, 
presenting  the  condition  and  wants  of  said  institution.  The  item 
was  referred  to  a  special  committee,  consisting  of  Revs.  W.  Ruj^p, 
A.  J.  Whitmore,  R.  R.  Smith,  and  Elders  J.  R  Lantz  and  G.  L. 
Freet.  This  committee,  during  the  session  of  Tuesday  morning, 
submitted  the  following  report,  which  was  received  and  adopted, 
viz. : — 

EEPORT   OF    COMMITTEE   ON   BETHANY   ORPHANS'    HOME. 

To  the  Synod  of  the  Potomac  : 

Your  special  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  Annual  Statement  of  the 
Board  of  Managers  of  Bethany  Orphans'  Home,  would  respectfully  report, 
that  they  have  exammed  said  statement,  and  find  that  the  Home  is  in  a  pros- 
perous condition.  The  last  cash  payment  of  §4000.00  was  made  during  the 
year,  leaving  now  only  a  Heating  debt  of  $2800.00.  The  number  of  orphans  in 
the  Home  at  present  is  66.  The  farm  connected  with  the  Home  has  yielded 
encouraging  crops.  But  the  Board  regrets  that  the  contributions  to  the  Home, 
during  tlie  past  year,  were  not  as  large  as  in  previous  years,  in  consequence  of 
which  but  a  small  proportion  of  the  fatherless  applicants  can  be  received. 

Your  committee  would  offer  the  following  resolutions  for  adoption: 

Resolved,  That  we  renewedly  commend  the  cause  of  the  orphans  to  the  cha- 
rity and  benevolence  of  our  people. 

Resolved,  That  Sunday-schools,  and  congregation.s,  within  the  bounds  of  this 
Synod,  are  requested  to  donate  their  Christmas  offerings  to  Bethany  Orphans' 
Home.  Eespectfully  submitted, 

W.  Rupp,  Chairman. 

The  following  preamble  and  resolution  were  reiterated  : 
Whereas,  The   Society  for   the   Eelief  of  Disabled   Ministers   and   the 


57 

Widows  of  Ministers  of  tlie  Reformed  Church  is  a  subject  of  the  greatest  im- 
portance and  interest  to  the  ministry  ;  and 

Whereas,  Disabled  Ministers  and  Widows  of  Ministers  are  multiplying 
annually;  therefore, 

Renolved,  That  the  Synod  commends  this  Society  to  the  favorable  considera- 
tion of  tlie  churciies,  and  recpiests  the  Classes  within  its  bounds  to  order  a  col- 
lection for  the  benefit  of  the  Society  to  be  lifted  in  our  churches,  on  or  about 
the  third  Sunday  in  June  next. 


On  motion,  the  several  Classes  and  pastoral  charges  of  the  Synod, 
still  delinquent  in  their  apportionments  for  the  Washington  Mission 
Chapel,  were  earnestly  urged  to  take  immediate  steps  to  raise  and 
pay  over  the  several  amounts  apportioned  on  them  atd  still  remain- 
ing unpaid. 

The  following  resolution  was  adopted,  in  answer  to  the  request  of 
Rev,  H.  Miller,  contained  in  item  10  of  the  Committee  on  Ovei*- 
tures  : 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sen«e  of  this  Synod,  that  tlie  manner  of  raising  funds 
for  congregational  and  benevolent  purposes  should  be  left  to  the  judgment  of 
pastors  and  consistories. 


An  assessment  of  twenty-five  cents  was  laid  upon  each  member 
of  Svnod  to  meet  the  necessarv  incidental  expenses  of  the  sessions 
of  tlie  Synod.  Elders  E.  Wi'lliard,  C.  A.  Shultz,  and  A.  Kieffer 
were  appointed  a  committee  to  collect  said  assessment.  The  com- 
mittee reported  as  follows,  which  was  received  and  adopted  : 

The  committee  appointed  by  the  Synod  to  collect  tlie  assessment  upon  each 
member  of  Synod,  bogs  leave  to  report,  that  the  duty  has  been  attended  to,  the 
amount  collected  being  $31.00,  which  has  been  handed  over  to  the  pastor  loci, 
as  directed  by  the  Synod. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

E.  W^ILLIARD,  Chairman. 


In  regard  to  the  requests  of  the  Portland-Oregon  Classis,  con- 
tained in  items  7  and  8  of  the  Report  of  the  Standing  Committee 
on  Minutes  of  Classes,  it  was,  on  motion. 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  cannot  comply  with  the  request  of  the  Portland- 
Oregon  Classis,  to  establish  a  German  Professorship  in  the  Theological  Semi- 
nary at  Lancaster,  Pa.,  at  i)iesent. 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  cannot  release  the  Portland  Oregon  Classis  from 
paying  the  very  small  apportionment  of  only  $2.5.00,  believing  as  we  do  that 
mission  congregations  ought  to  contribute  somediing,  however  small  it  may 
be,  to  the  benevolent  objects  of  the  Church. 

Revs.  C.  Cort,  M.  L.  Firor,  C.  J.  Musser,  H.  T,  Spangler,  and 
J.  David  ]\[iller  were  appointed  a  committee  to  report  the  proceed- 
ings of  Synod  for  the  public  press.  The  committee  submitted  the 
following  report,  which  was  received  and  adopted,  to  wit : 

The  cnmniittee,  appointed  to  report  for  the  public  press,  beg  leave  to  submit 
the  following:  Your  committee  reported  for  daily  papers  in  Ilagerstown,  Bal- 


58 

timore,  Harrisbiirg;  LancaBter  and  Altoona  a  full  abstract  of  important  pro- 
ceedings and  of  many  speeclies.  Our  expenses  for  postage  and  stationery 
amount  to  $1.40,  which  has  been  paid  out  of  the  special  collection  taken  up 
by  the  Synod. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

C.  CoRT,  Chairman. 


The  following  preamble  and  resolutions  were  adopted : 

Whereas,  What  is  known  as  Speculative  Life  Insurance  prevails  to  a  great 
extent  over  certain  portions  of  the  territory  embraced  in  this  Synod  ;  and 

Whereas,  Such  business  is  and  can  be  only  evil  in  its  character  and  influ- 
ence, by  its  very  nature  leading,  in  many  cases,  to  murder  in  heart,  and  in 
some  sections  of  our  country  has  led  to  murder  in  deed;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  warns  all  the  people  committed  to  its  care  against 
engaging  in  this  immoral  traffic. 

Besolved,  That  this  action  be  published  in  the  Messenger  and  in  the  Christian 
World,  and  that  the  pastors  of  this  Synod  be  requested  to  read  the  same  from 
their  pulpits. 


On  Friday  afternoon,  a  committee  was  appointed  with  power  to 
grant  leave  of  absence,  consisting  of  Revs.  J.  Kretzing,  W.  A.  Gring, 
B,  R.  Carnahau,  and  Elders  G.  Rosen  and  H.  Winebrenner.  The 
committee,  just  before  final  adjournment,  reported  as  follows,  which 
was  received  and  adopted  : 

The  Committee  on  Leave  of  Absence  would  report,  that  they  granted  leave 
of  absence  to  the  following  members  of  Synod,  to  wit:  Kev.  C.  F.  Sontag  after 
Friday's  sessions;  Rev.  S.  F.  Laury,  and  Elders  G.  S.  Brodbeck  and  E.  D. 
Zimmerman  after  Saturday  morning's  session  ;  Revs.  Dr.  Miller,  Dr.  Weisz, 
A.  Spangler,  A.  J.  Whitmore,  C.  S.\Slagle,  H.  F.  Long,  and  Elders  G.  Hol- 
linger,  J.  R.  Lantz,  G.  Rosen,  J.  R.  Pague,  C.  A.  Woltman,  and  H.  O.  Neal 
after  Sunday's  services;  Revs.  W.  E.  Krebs,  M.  H.  Sangree,  and  S.  M.  Hench 
after  Monday  morning's  session  ;  Rev.  F.  S.  Liudaman  and  Elders  J.  P.  Reed, 
J.  Bixler,  S.  Omwake,  H.  Stine,  D.  Kump,  and  L.  Rinker  after  Monday  after- 
noon's session;  Rev.  J.  M.  Mickly,  H.  Hilbish,  and  Elders  R.  Kearns  and  J. 
Seibert  after  Monday  evening's  session;  and  Revs.  J.  Hassler,  D.  M.  Whit- 
more, H.  T.  Spangler,  S.  L.  Whitmore,  and  Elders  S.  Crist,  A.  Kieffer,  L.  H. 
Koch,  and  W.  W.  Lesh  after  11  o'clock  of  Tuesday  morning's  session. 
Respectfully  subuutted, 

J.  Kretzing,  Cliairman. 

During  Sunday  night  the  Stated  Clerk  became  suddenly  ill,  so 
that  he  was  unable  to  attend  any  of  the  subsequent  sessions  of  the 
Synod.  Rev.  W.  C.  Cremer  was  appointed  Secretary  for  the  ses- 
sions of  Monday  and  Tuesday  forenoon,  filling  the  position  with 
acceptance. 

Elder  John  M.  Hoffman,  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  became  dangerously 
ill,  whilst  attending  the  sessions  of  Synod,  and  departed  this  life 
shortly  after  returning  home.  The  Synod  passed  the  following 
resolution : 

Resolved,  Tiiat  the  Synod  has  heard  with  pain  of  the  sudden  and  severe 
sickness  of  Rev.  Wm.  M.  Deatrick,  our  worthy  Stated  Clerk,  and  also  of  Elder 
John  M.  Hofinian ;  and  that  we  hereby  extend  to  tliem  our  warmest  sympa- 
thies and  hearty  Christian  wishes  and  prayers  for  their  speedy  and  complete 
recovery. 


59 
ARTICLE  XXII. 

MINISTERIAL    NECROLOGY. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Ministerial  Necrology,  appointed  at 
the  last  annual  meeting,  presented  the  following  report,  which  was 
received  and  adopted  : 

Your  committee  hep:s  leave  to  present  the  following  report: — During  the 
past  Synodical  year  but  one  of  our  number  has  been  removed  by  the  hand  of 
death  from  earth  to  heaven.  Rev.  John  11.  Sykes,  of  the  Mercersburg  Classic, 
suddenly  and  unex[)ectedly  departed  tiiis  life  on  the  10th  day  of  November 
last,  less  than  a  month  after  tlie  las^t  meeting  of  the  Potomac  Synod,  whose 
sessions  ho  attended,  and  in  whose  deliberations  he  took  an  active  part.  He 
died  at  the  house  of  one  of  his  elders,  with  whom  he  was  tarrying  for  a  night, 
and  was  buried  on  the  13th  of  November.  Brother  Sykes  was  a  native  of 
Yorkshire,  England,  and  born  of  Christian  parents,  November  5th,  1834.  His 
age  was  40  years  and  5  days. 

Early  in  life  he  became  a  member  of  the  Church  of  England.  Soon  after 
attaining  his  majority,  he  emigrated  to  tliis  country,  and  for  a  time  engaged  in 
teaching  in  Northampton  county.  Pa.  Under  the  ministry  of  the  late  Rev.  Dr. 
Becker,  his  doctrinal  views  underwent  considerable  modification,  and  lie 
became  connected  with  the  Reformed  Church.  Desirous  of  consecrating  his 
life  to  the  work  of  the  Holy  Ministry,  in  the  spring  of  1S58,  lie  was  taken 
under  the  care  of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Chassis,  and  entered  upon  a  <!Ourse  of 
study  preparatory  to  the  sacred  ofBce,  in  the  Allentown  Seminary,  under  the 
direction  of  Rev.  Wm.  R.  HofFord,  A.  M.  Here  he  gave  evidence  of  more 
than  ordinary  intellectuality,  and  employed  his  time  to  the  best  advantage. 

In  the  spring  of  1863,  Brother  Sykes  was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel,  and 
was  ordained  to  the  ministry,  and  installed  as  pastor  of  the  Reformed  Church 
in  South  Easton,  on  the  28th  of  May,  1864.  His  second  field  of  labor  was  the 
Somerset  charge,  Somerset  county,  Pa.,  to  which  he  was  called  in  the  spring 
of  1866.  In  1867,  he  removed  to  Mount  Pleasant,  Westmoreland  county,  Pa., 
having  accepted  an  appointment  to  a  professorship  in  Westmoreland  College, 
located  at  that  place.  Subsequently,  on  the  resignation  of  the  President  of 
that  institution,  he  was  elected  to  the  vacant  position.  Here  he  labored  with 
his  usual  zeal  and  fidelity,  and  made  many  sacrifices  in  the  interest  of  educa- 
tion and  the  Church.  In  the  fall  of  1868,  he  removed  to  Martinsburg,  Blair 
county.  Pa.,  having  accepted  a  call  from  that  charge.  On  the  17th  of  Decem- 
ber, 1873,  lie  was  installed  as  pastor  of  the  Woodcock  Valley  charge,  in  Hun- 
tingdon county.  Pa.  In  March,  1877,  he  commenced  his  ministry  in  the 
Greencastle  charge,  from  the  labors  of  which,  it  pleased  the  Great  Heail  of  the 
Church,  in  His  own  way  and  time,  to  call  His  servant  to  his  rest  and  reward. 

The  ministry  of  Bro.  Sykes  embraces  a  period  of  nearly  eighteen  years,  and 
is  characterized  throughout  by  great  earnestness  and  fidelity.  As  a  preacher 
and  pa.stor,  he  served  the  people  in  his  several  charges  with  acceptance,  and, 
as  a  consequence,  his  minisierial  career  was  one  of  usefulness  and  success. 

"  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord  from  henceforth  :  Yea,  saith 
the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their  labors;  and  their  works  do  follow 
them."  Respectfully  submitted, 

T.  S.  Weisz,  Chairman. 


ARTICLE  XXIII. 

RESUMPTION    AND    CLOSE. 

The  following  resolutions  were  moved  and  unanimously  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  of  the  Potomac  returns  its  hearty  thanks  to  the 

pastors  and  members  of  Trinity  and  St.  Paul's  Reformed  Churches  of  Waynes- 


60 

boro,  and  other  citizens  of  the  place,  for  liaving  so  hospitably  entertained  its 
naembers  and  advisory  members,  during  our  stay  in  their  midst ;  and  that 
said  pastors  be  requested  to  read  this  action  to  their  respective  congregations, 
as  well  as  have  it  published  in  the  papers  of  Waynesboro. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  instructed  to  tender  the  thanks  of  this 
Synod  to  tlie  Western  Maryland,  the  Mont  Alto,  the  Baltimore  and  Cumber- 
land Valley,  and  the  Cumberland  Valley  Railroads  for  carrying  the  members 
of  Synod  over  their  respective  roads,  at  reduced  rates. 

The  Syuodical  Roll  was  then  called,  and  none  were  found  absent 
without  permission  or  excuse. 

The  minutes  were  then  read  finally  and  approved,  and  ordered 
to  be  engrossed. 


ARTICLE    XXIV. 

ADJOURNMENT. 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted,  during  the  session  of 
Tuesday  morning,  to  wit  : 

Resolved,  That  the  next  annual  meeting  of  tlie  Synod  be  in  General 
Convention. 

Resolved,  That  when  we  adjourn  finally,  it  be  to  meet  in  Christ  Reformed 
Church  of  Altoona,  Blair  county.  Pa.,  on  Wednesday  evening,  October  11th, 
A.  D.  1882,  at  7  :  30  o'clock. 

The  Synod  adjourned  finally  on  Tuesday  at  noon,  October  25th, 
with  repeating  the  Apostles'  Creed,  joining  in  the  Lord's  Prayer, 
singiug  the  doxology,  and  Apostolic  benediction  by  the  President. 

I.  G.  BROWN,  President 
WM.  M.  DEATRICK,  Stated  Clerk. 

Official  copy  from  the  original  Minutes. 

WM.  M.  DEATRICK,  Stated  Clekk. 


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Marion  L.  Firor, 
Conrad  Clever, 
Silas  M.  Hench, 
Charles  F.  Sontag, 
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Jonas  B.  Shontz, 
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INDEX. 


Absence,  Report  of  Committee  on  leave  of. 58 

Adjournment 60 

Advisor3'  Members 4 

Classe.«,  Report  of  Committee  on  Minutes  of. 11 

Classis  of  Carlisle  formed 50 

"         Gettysburg  formed 50 

Communications  received (J 

Complaint  of  Rev.  A.|Wanner 48 

Contingent  Expenses  of  Synod,  Assessment  of 47 

Education,  Report  of  Board  of 17 

"             Report  of  Committee  on 23 

Election  of  Officers  of  Synod 5 

Examination,  Licensure  and  Ordination,  Report  of  Committee  on 13 

Finance,  Report  of  Committee  on 47 

Hymn-Book  with  Music,  Report  of  Committee  on 55 

Members  of  Synod  in  attendance 3 

Mercersburg  College,  Report  of  Board  of  Regents  of. 25 

"              "        Action  of  Synod  in  reference  to 27 

Ministerial  Necrology,  Report  of  Committee  on 59 

Minutes  of  Classes,  Report  of  Committee  on 11 

"             Synod,  Report  of  Committee  on 8 

"                  "           "       Stated  Clerk  on  Publishing 51 

"                  "       Publication  of  ordered 61 

Minutes  of  General  Synod,  Report  of  Committee  on i) 

Missions,  Report  of  the  Tri-Sy^odic  Board  of 28 

"          Report  of  the  Superintendent  of 28 

"          Report  of  Treasurer  of 43 

"          Report  of  Committee  on 44 

Opening  of  Synod 3 

Orphans'  Home,'°Report  of  Committee  on  Bethany 56 

Overtures,  Report  of  Committee  on 10 

Portland-Oregon  Classis,  Requests  of  not  granted .57 

Publication,  Report  of  Committee  on 54 

Ratio  of  Representation,  wherever  Synod  meets  as  a  delegated  body 50 

Reformed  Church  Publication  Board,  Report  of. 51 

Religion,  Report  of  Committee  on  State  of 14 

Religious  Services,  Report  of  Committee  on 7 

Rules  of  Order,  Action  on  Report  of  Committee  on  Revision  of 5 

Society  for  Relief  of  Ministers  andWidows  of  Minister? 56 

Speculative  Life  Insurance,  Action  in  regard  to 58 

Standing  Committees  Appointed 5 

Statistical  Reports 61 

"           Summary 67 

Sunday-School  Board,  Report  of. 48 

Thanks,  Resolutions  of 50 

Theological  Seminary,  Report  of  Board  of  Trustees  of 21 

"                  "                    "           Board  of  Visitors  of 20 

Treasurer  of  Synod,  Annual  Report  of 45 

V/ashingl>n  Mission  Chapel,  Apportionments  of  urged  to  be  paid  speedily 57 


